Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation had proposed to build 24 model graveyards in the city limits in 2015 as part of its 100-day action plan. The project, which consisted of upgrading the facilities to match today’s needs, was estimated to cost '241.2 crore. But 30 months since the proposal was announced, the corporation has managed to build only one graveyard, at Balkampet.
The 24 model graveyards were to be equipped with facilities such as wash areas, burning platforms, ash storing facilities, prayer halls, waiting areas, sitting gallery, parking facility, office place, shops for selling cremation items, etc. Now, GHMC officials say that the graveyard project has been delayed due to staff crunch, bidders’ non-participation in the auction and other issues.
A GHMC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said out of the proposed 24 graveyards, the corporation has completed the modernisation of one graveyard at Balkampet, and the work is in progress at other sites, including Swarga Margamu Seetalmatha temple, Shivarampally graveyard, Gopannapally, Taranagar, Taranagar (Hindu), Mokshavatika, Gandhinagar (Hindu), Machabollaram (Hindu) and SP Nagar (Hindu). He said that the corporation had been carrying out works at 10 model graveyards in a phased manner at the cost of Rs 102 crore. The GHMC expects to complete the remaining 14 in 8-10 months.
Talking about the delay, the official said that several local organisations were under the wrong impression that the graveyard modernisation would displace families living in the vicinity. He said several organisations had been hindering the project over this issue.
The official said the civic body’s idea was only to enhance the facilities in the graveyards and not displace anyone including their keepers and care takers. He said the corporation will construct at least one modern graveyard per zone.
