BMC may provide mobile morgues soon; awaits health panel approval

The proposal may become a reality if the BMC’s health committee approves it. The committee will also take a decision on the charges for using the morgues.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) may soon provide mobile morgues, which will help those who cannot afford private morgues. The proposal may become a reality if the civic body’s health committee approves it. The committee will also take a decision on the charges for using the morgues.

The BMC’s proposal to provide mobile morgues to those who cannot afford private morgues is pending approval by its health panel.(HT File Photo)

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta recently replied positively to the proposal. In a letter dated February 12, 2019, he stated that the civic body does provide various facilities like affordable wood at crematorium and free burial at cemeteries. The letter says, “It needs to be discussed [if] the civic body [would] charge these mobile morgues, who would be responsible for the damage if any to the morgue and also if there would be misuse of the morgue.”

The letter also says the project can be carried out on a pilot basis and a mobile morgue can be provided in each of the seven divisions. It would cost BMC about ₹35,000 plus GST and if the mobile morgue is provided in all seven divisions, it would cost BMC ₹4.50 lakh plus GST. If it is approved by the health committee then the chief engineer (mechanical and electrical) will be asked to call for tenders for the same.

Godfrey Pimenta, activist from Watchdog Foundation, said ,“It’ s a welcome step. The BMC also has to work on issues like death certificate, post-mortem and the process of claiming the body. Currently, if anyone dies in Sakinaka, they have to be taken to Rajawadi or Cooper Hospital for a morgue.”