Flooded Burial Site Forces People to Bury Body on Roadside in Karimnagar
The situation has been worsened by ongoing construction of a new bridge for the National Highway over the stream.
Karimnagar: The Vaikunta Dhamam, built by the previous BRS government, has become completely unusable for villagers due to poor planning and substandard construction. The facility, which cost lakhs of rupees, is now surrounded by floodwater following recent heavy rains, forcing locals in Dushed village, Karimnagar rural mandal, Karimnagar district, to perform last rites on the roadside.
On Thursday, when a resident passed away, the family and villagers arrived to conduct the final rites only to find the entire Vaikunta Dhamam inundated. The flooding was caused by the overflowing Irukulla stream, which, in the absence of a proper boundary wall or sufficient elevation, submerged the surroundings and the cremation facility. With no alternative, the family was compelled to bury the body on the roadside.
The situation has been worsened by ongoing construction of a new bridge for the National Highway over the stream. The work has created a backwater effect, pushing even more water into the Vaikunta Dhamam. Additionally, the facility lacks basic amenities such as electricity and functioning taps in the bathrooms. Visitors at night are left in the dark, and due to non-functional bathing area taps, they are forced to bathe on the roadside.
Villagers have voiced strong frustration, blaming the poor planning of the previous administration. They alleged that authorities failed to construct a proper compound wall or raise the ground level, leading to waterlogging even after mild rainfall.
“What is the purpose of spending so much money on a Vaikunta Dhamam that cannot serve the community?” they questioned, urging municipal officials to address the issues and make the facility functional for its intended use.
