BBMP Crematorium
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to set up nine more electric crematoriums. It has already acquired land in seven locations for these. BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad made this announcement after inspecting a few of the crematoriums. Tenders for two crematoriums have been approved. One of these will be located in Kumbalgodu, Kengeri hobli and the other in Kurubarahalli, Tavarekere hobli.
Currently, the city has 11 electric crematoriums. However, these are not enough to accommodate the huge number of Covid-19 victims who have died in the second wave of the pandemic. Several people from the affected areas have to shuttle between various crematoriums to cremate their loved ones. For instance, residents from Mahadevapura and KR Puram have to visit Kudlu in Bommanahalli or Jeevanahalli Kalpalli in East Bengaluru because the Panathur crematorium is closed.
The bbmp crematorium has been facing a lot of criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 crisis. The civic body is reportedly struggling to manage the demand for cremation services. It is also facing issues in maintaining its existing 63 burial grounds. A lot of the grave-diggers at these sites are untrained and lack proper equipment. Moreover, they are not even given PPEs to wear while digging graves and closing them. Moreover, these workers do not get compensation in case they contract COVID-19.
BBMP Crematorium Plans
As a result, the situation at many crematoriums is becoming chaotic and stressful. The BBMP has instructed its officials to only accept cremations of Covid-19 victims from registered families and not from walk-ins. It has also asked them to inform the authorities about any problems at the crematoriums.
Despite the challenges, the BBMP is trying to address the issue as quickly as possible. The corporation has started online booking of spaces at a few crematoriums and is urging people to book slots online. This will help in easing the pressure on the crematoriums.
The BBMP also has an emergency hotline to handle the rush. In addition, it has asked the zone authorities to make arrangements for free ambulance service and sanitisation of those who come to the crematoria. The BBMP has also instructed the cremation centres to ensure that all family members of the deceased are present during the process.
The BBMP has set up a task force to deal with the crisis and is deploying extra personnel to ensure the smooth functioning of the cremation centres. Apart from this, the civic body has also taken up cleaning and repair works at the crematoriums. It has asked the zone authorities to provide sanitisation kits and sanitary equipment to those coming for the cremation of their loved ones. It has also instructed the cremation centres to operate from 8 am to 8 pm on all days and ask people to register themselves online.
