Deccan Chronicle       03.02.2011

City’s electric crematoriums defunct, may work by April

Hyderabad,
Feb. 2: It has been a year since the two electric crematoriums of the
city died a silent death and it doesn’t seem that they will be
resurrected soon.

The two facilities — at Bansilalpet in Secunderabad and at
Amberpet — are unlikely to be operational before April and many
families arriving at the crematoriums to perform the last rites of their
kin are returning disappointed.

Such families have no other option but to go to the
traditional cremation grounds as a result of which the load is
increasing on the Shamshana Vatikas.

Recently, a family was made to wait for eight hours at
Amberpet Shamshana Vatika for cremation rites as there were four bodies
queued up for the ritual.

“It’s not only taking a longer time at the traditional
shamshana vatikas but it is also an expensive affair. While it was `150
at the electric crematorium, the rates go up to `2,000 in the
traditional shamshana vatikas including `1,200 for wood and labour
charges,” said Mr Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Moosaram Bagh.

Officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation
said that the two electric crematoriums had been shut down by the civic
body a year ago for the upgradation and to add two more electric
furnaces to increase their intake capacities.

However, they were silent when asked whether a
notification had been given in the newspapers informing the people about
the closure of the two facilities.

The GHMC executive engineer, Mr Shiv Raj, said there were
complaints from local residents that the outdated electric equipment was
emanating smoke and foul smell.

“We shut the two facilities as part of an overall project
to construct two new electric crematoriums, and for upgrading the two
facilities at Bansilalpet and Amberpet. Chennai-based Essco Furnaces
Private Limited is executing the project and at least two facilities
will be commissioned by the end of April,” said GHMC superintending
engineer, Mr P. Peetambara Rao.