As deaths mount, crematorium in Ghazipur to run 24x7, says EDMC

Officials managing the cremation grounds have confirmed that due to the increasing number of bodies arriving at the funeral sites, relatives of the dead have to wait for several hours.

With Covid-19 cases spiralling in the Capital and number of fatalities mounting, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has decided to operate a crematorium in Ghazipur round-the-clock and start two CNG furnaces at Karkardooma crematorium to help dispose of bodies. The crematorium in Ghazipur will be the first in Dehi to operate round the clock.

In the past seven days, 725 people in the national capital have died of Covid-19. (PTI representative image)

The East civic body has at least five crematoriums in its jurisdiction. Mayor of east corporation Nirmal Jain said, “We have decided to run our Ghazipur cremation ground 24x7. We will also start two CNG furnaces at Karkardooma crematorium from Tuesday. All this is being done to ensure people do not have to wait for performing last rites of their loved ones who have died of Covid.”

Though the north and the south corporations are yet to start such a facility, officials said they have asked the state government to look for alternative burial grounds and cremation facilities. Jai Prakash, mayor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, said, “So far, we have no plans of running our facilities round-the-clock as the situation is still under control. We have asked hospitals to send bodies of Covid-19 patients only to the dedicated cremation sites or burial grounds attached with the hospital. We have asked the government to look for alternative graveyards as a precautionary measure.”

In the past seven days, 725 people in the national capital have died of Covid-19.

Officials managing the cremation grounds have confirmed that due to the increasing number of bodies arriving at the funeral sites, relatives of the dead have to wait for several hours. A doctor at AIIMS, who did not wish to be named, said, on Thursday, one body was returned to the mortuary because the officials at the funeral sites could not manage the burden of the huge pile-up of bodies.