KOCHI: As part of the state government’s project to set up modern crematoriums in all districts, the city will get two such facilities at Edakochi and Mattancherry.
A recent meeting of the city corporation council approved the proposal to upgrade the traditional firewood crematoriums at Edakochi and Mattancherry using government funds.
The Urban Affairs Department had earlier asked the civic body to identify suitable land for setting up the facility or to submit a proposal to upgrade traditional crematoriums, if any.
“As per the scheme, two traditional crematoriums in west Kochi will be remodelled to the less polluting LPG based furnace system. It will also have an ambulance facility,” said sources at the Corporation. In the gas-based crematorium, the LPG-based furnace takes less time and there will not be any delay in completing the funeral.
The state government in its 2013 –2014 budget had proposed a Rs 10.5 cr project to set up modern crematoriums across the districts.
The Suchitwa Mission will undertake the project with the support of Urban Affairs Department.
The Corporation, at present, is operating eight crematoriums in the city at Fort Kochi, Edakochi, Palluruthy, Pachalam, Pullepady, Edappally Ravipuram and Mattanchery.
Meanwhile, despite having modern facilities, people are reluctant to use the LPG furnaces for funerals, it has been observed.
“In Ravipuram, despite having a modern gas furnace, most people still prefer the traditional firewood system,” sources said.
