An important step has been taken towards making the cremation process environment friendly in Delhi. The Municipal Corporation has decided that no fee will be charged for the cremation done through CNG and electric medium at the cremation grounds under it.
This system is being implemented initially as a two-year pilot project. The proposal was presented in the House meeting and was approved by voice vote.
MCD has the responsibility of 39 cremation grounds.
The Municipal Corporation operates a total of 39 cremation grounds, cemeteries and Christian cemeteries in the capital. Most of these places are managed through social institutions, resident welfare associations and trusts. These institutions work on ‘no loss, no profit’ model, that is, their objective is not to earn profit but to provide service.
Initiative towards reducing pollution
The Municipal Corporation believes that the smoke emitted during traditional wood cremation affects the air quality. In the meetings held at the level of officials, it was agreed that pollution can be controlled by promoting CNG and electric options. Under this thinking, a plan was made to motivate people to adopt these mediums by providing them financial relief.
Big difference in expenses too
According to the information, the average cost of cremation using wood is around Rs 6000. Whereas in CNG based cremation, the cost remains around Rs 1500. Now that the fee on this is being completely removed, this option will become more accessible to the common people.
Funeral arrangements will change with pilot project
In the last three years, only 8 to 9 percent of the total cremations in the capital have taken place through CNG or electric medium. In such a situation, if this figure reaches 25 percent after the implementation of the free facility, then the Municipal Corporation may have to bear an additional burden of about Rs 10 lakh every month. It is estimated that this annual expenditure can go up to Rs 2 crore.
In such a situation, the Municipal Corporation will have to face the dual challenge of managing increasing expenses with the aim of reducing pollution and promoting modern alternatives.