For years, residents of Jambhekar Maharaj Path at Dadar sea-face have preferred to keep their windows shut when at home. Smoke emanating from an electric crematorium situated amid residential buildings in the locality has made life difficult for the 1000-odd residents. They are now up in arms against the Bhagoji Baloji Kir crematorium.
They have demanded that unclaimed, decomposed bodies should not be cremated in the area. “Unclaimed bodies lie with police authorities and hospitals for several days before they are cremated here in large numbers,” said Vikas Sabnis, a renowned cartoonist, who has lived here for 19 years.
“The effects of cremating rotten bodies are more harmful than those of cremating bodies by the conventional method without any delay,” said Haria Patil, another resident. “Ash settles down in our homes.”
The crematorium has also led to noise pollution in the area. Either side of the road is congested with vehicles moving towards and out of the crematorium, echoed residents.
On September 1, mayor Shraddha Jadhav will convene a meeting between the residents and civic officials. “The problem ought to be tackled,” she said. “Following the meeting, we will do the needful.”
The residents want the problem to be tackled at a technical level. “The crematorium should either be shifted or authorities should install the wet-scrubber system, which can dilute the intensity of the smoke,” added Patil.
A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report also states that electric cremation is nearly seven times more intensive in terms of greenhouse gas emissions as compared to the traditional Hindu style of cremation.
“Residential societies should be at an adequate distance from the crematorium,” said Dr Amita Athavale, head of the chest department at KEM Hospital. “If the charred human tissues are not treated at the right temperature, the suspended particles can have adverse effects on the residents’ respiration.”
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