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The GHMC executive engineer, Mr Shiv Raj, said there were complaints from local residents that the outdated electric equipment was emanating smoke and foul smell.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