CNG crematorium uses firewoods to burn bodies

A crematorium in DLF Phase-3, which was supposed to run on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), has been using woods to perform funerals due to lack of fuel supply.

A crematorium in DLF Phase-3, which was supposed to run on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), has been using woods to perform funerals due to lack of fuel supply.

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The Rs 1-crore crematorium was constructed by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) six months ago. According to officials, 25 to 30 funerals take place daily at the crematorium.

The advanced crematorium is fitted with the CNG funeral system but the pipelines have not yet been laid from the nearest fuel distribution point.

“We are still using woods as fuel and that cost Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 for a funeral. We are still waiting for the CNG fuel as assured by the MCG,” said a resident of village Nathupur. The facility has been set up on the Nathupur village land.

The MCG has as many as 17 cremation grounds in the city. The facility at DLF-3 was especially designed to use CNG in order to reduce funeral time and conserve environment.

“If CNG is used, each funeral would cost hardly Rs 500 to Rs 700. The time will also reduce to 30 to 45 minutes,” said a senior MCG official, adding that the corporation is planning to make CNG cylinders available till the pipelines are laid.