The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) is close to realising its two-decade long dream of installing electric crematorium in its premises.
Officials at PADT said overall construction work such as fixing generators and a transformer with cremation machine has been completed in the two-storey building at Pingalasthan.
“Crematoriums will be in operation by mid-September,” said Govinda Tandon, member-secretary of PADT. The electric crematorium takes 45 minutes to burn a body, while it takes over three hours to do the same using firewood. According to Ghat Service Center at Pashupatinath temple, around two bodies are cremated at Aryaghat for which at least 300 kilograms of wood is needed.
Tandon says it costs a minimum Rs7, 000 for firewood cremation, but less than a half for electric crematorium. “We are yet to fix the cost, but the cost will be comparatively low.”
The general public are, however, sceptical over the new method of cremation. In response, Tandon said the procedure will be same with electric crematorium.
“This will take time for people to adjust, but we won’t close the Aryaghat for traditional burial process.”
The crematorium building also has a cooling store that can adjust at least 20 bodies and separate rooms with hot shower for mourners. The machine was brought from Indomen Engineering Service in Kolkata, for which PADT paid Rs26 million. The PADT officials estimate around Rs70 million for overall work.
Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues, crime, and human interest stories since 2011. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years.
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