Chennai: The Velangadu cemetery on New Avadi Road that initially boasted of rich greenery, CCTV cameras and other facilities, now lies in a state of apathy. Due to ill maintenance, the place is vandalised and the residents are forced to look for other cemeteries.
“Till three years ago, the burial ground had a geometrically-regular pattern of trees and burial markers, CCTV cameras were working and the washroom was well maintained. However, when the contract was taken over by another agency by quoting a lesser amount to bag the tender, things got worse,”complained P. Raja, a resident of the area.
He further added currently the washrooms stink, most of the trees are dead and cracks started appearing on the walls. Adding to their woes, the burial that ideally must be done at free of cost is being charged for. One of the women in the area on condition of anonymity alleged, “When we went to bury my son's body, the staff initially demanded Rs 3,000.
When we rejected, they asked us to wait for long hours saying they had other appointments. When we finally agreed to their demands, they charged Rs 2,000 extra than what they asked before and there was nobody we could complain to.”
Moreover, the burial ground has two incinerators - biogas and electric. Despite repeated complaints, the electric incinerator has been obsolete for the past seven years, complain, residents. When contacted, the concerned agency maintaining the cemetery said the water supply issue has been settled on Saturday and that they would take the other issues into account.
