Crisis in crematoriums at TVM; people booking time slots to cremate bodies

Thiruvananthapuram: With the number of deaths including Covid fatalities increasing day by day, the facilities at crematoriums in Thiruvananthapuram district have become inadequate. The people are booking time slots for cremating bodies.

The authorities directed to cremate bodies at the firewood crematorium in Thycaud. Only half of the bodies brought to Maranalloor panchayat are cremated a day. The number of bodies taken to the crematoriums in Attingal and Nedumangad municipalities and Pazhaya Kunnummal panchayat are have increased.

There are two electric furnaces and two newly set up gas furnaces in Thycaud. These are used for cremating the bodies of Covid patients only for some weeks. Other bodies are cremated in the firewood pyres. 23 bodies were cremated on Wednesday and booking was complete for Thursday too.

For the last one week, bodies of over 20 Covid patients are cremated at Thycaud every day. Maximum 24 bodies can be cremated in the four furnaces per day. The remaining bodies are taken in the next days only.

Due to continuous use, the functioning of one new gas furnace has been affected slightly. If the situation prevails, they are likely to get damaged, the authorities said. Electric furnaces are over 10 years old.

The bodies of all Covid patients dying in the city are brought to Thycaud. This includes the bodies of people from Kollam and Nagarcoil also. The construction of new gas furnace is progressing in Kazhakkoottam. The authorities are mulling implementation of temporary facilities instead of firewood pyres.