The possibility of so-called ghosts haunting them prompted the residents of Basavanapura ward in KR Puram to oppose the construction of an electric crematorium there by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
The possibility of so-called ghosts haunting them prompted the residents of Basavanapura ward in KR Puram to oppose the construction of an electric crematorium there by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Interestingly, the residents were initially okay with the crematorium coming up in their area. Their opposition came after the BBMP commenced the construction.
Even as phasmophobia — fear of ghosts — has been cited as reason for the residents’ objection, some of them said they were averse to frequently see funeral processions being taken out through the residential area.
“They (the residents) feared that the ghosts will haunt them, if the crematorium comes up in the middle of the residential area. Some people also objected that they cannot start their day by watching people carrying dead bodies and hearing drum beats accompanying the procession,” a resident, who did not wish to be identified, said.
Some others, who were not averse to having the crematorium in the area, said the local MLA was behind the opposition. It has been alleged that the KR Puram MLA, Nandish Reddy, was opposed to the proposal because some of his relatives have been staying close to the land identified for the crematorium.
BBMP identified the land at Medihalli (survey number 89) for the purpose, and the 2009-10 budget had earmarked Rs2.5 crore for constructing the modern crematorium, as the constituency lacked one.
According to a BBMP official, the civic body had also identified a government land measuring 11 acre quarry land for the purpose and carried out a survey.
“There is a dispute in the court between the government and the private party over the land ownership of three acres in the said property. The government has given sanction for the BWSSB to construct a treatment plant, park and CLR service station. It has also allowed BBMP to construct an electrical crematorium in the remaining land,” the official said.
The problem started when BBMP started the construction. “The local residents were aware that BBMP is constructing the crematorium. But when the project started, there was opposition from the public, and the construction has to be stopped,” Basavanapura ward corporator K Poornima said, adding that she had written to the health committee to construct a hospital in the land.
The opposition to the crematorium has sent BBMP engineers on a hunt for an alternative site. “We are searching for an alternative land for the crematorium. There are a few parcels of government-owned vacant land in KR Puram. People want the crematorium far away from the residential area,” said another BBMP official.
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