Bhubaneswar: Two modern crematoriums in the Odisha capital will be made operational within two months, said Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary on Monday.
He said that the number of cremation in the Satya Nagar crematorium had gone up abnormally due to COVID-19 deaths. Besides, the crematorium is also receiving more bodies as the Puri district administration has banned cremation at Swargadwar to contain the spread of the virus in the district.
“Considering the above factors, the construction of two modern crematoriums is underway at Patia and Khandagiri. While cremation of bodies at Patia will be done by gas, there will be electric chullah at Khandagiri. The two new crematoriums will be completed in 45 days and made operational within two months,” the BMC commissioner pointed out.
Earlier in the day, the members of the Satya Nagar Ladies Forum submitted a memorandum to the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on the number of cremation of COVID-19 patients at the crematorium.
Briefing the media later, they said that as about 30-40 COVID-19 patients are cremated every day, there is severe pollution in the locality due to heavy smoke. They said they have requested the Commission to urgently intervene in the matter and direct the Municipal authorities to take alternative measures.
