Only electric crematorium in city lying defunct for 3 years
Set up in Covid times under a special grant, the only electric crematorium in the city in the Guru Nanakpura area has not been working for the past three years.
Residents said it was in proper condition when it was set up. It is learnt that while the locals were not in favour of its use because it did not conform to their deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs, families of about three NRIs had used it for the last rites. "It was set up in 2021 but it has not been used since 2022. No one from the area opted for its use and hence it is lying defunct", said Dolly Saini, ex-councillor of the area.
Environmentalists in the city are of the opinion that such a facility which helps take care of pollution issues should not be allowed to go unused and must be maintained. "If people are not using it, the authorities need to create awareness on the issue and get people to use it. Agree that there are emotions, grief and custom issues that take over at such turbulent times but a change has to be started at some point. It is high time that we move on to greener solutions and incineration of bodies can be one major step", said Gurmeet Singh, an activist.
Superintending Engineer (B&R) Rajnish Dogra said the electric crematorium had been installed under a special grant but we do hear that it has not found acceptance with the people. Former Mayor Jagdish Raja said the installation had taken place during his tenure but he was not aware of its status.
Former BJP minister and ex-MLA of the area Manoranjan Kalia said, "The electric funeral machine was installed at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh. A committee too had been set up to handle it but it had not worked. I have been told that the committee had not even paid the electricity dues to PSPCL and hence it could not be used for the last three years. Had it been in proper working condition, I am sure that some people would have certainly opted for it".
