The Hindu : Front Page : Freezer boxes, hearse vans now free

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Freezer boxes, hearse vans now free

Staff Reporter

Chennai Corporation procures 10 vans
They can be booked online

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation on Monday launched the free facility of freezer boxes and hearse vans.

Mayor M. Subramanian said hiring of private hearse vans cost about Rs. 2,000 and poor families struggled to pay the amount, he said.

Each of the 30 unit offices of the Corporation would have a freezer box, which can be booked for funerals. The boxes had been bought at a cost of Rs. 45,405 each. Ten hearse vans, bought at Rs. 3 lakh each, would be available for free use. Five of the vans would be stationed in the Corporation’s vehicle depot at Chintadripet to meet the demand from the south of the city and the rest would be stationed in the Basin Bridge depot for use in the north.

Those who wish to book the freezer boxes or hearse vans can call the Corporation’s helpline at 1913 or visit the Corporation unit offices. The Mayor said the burial charges of Rs. 225 and the cremation charges of Rs. 250 had been withdrawn earlier and the services were offered free of cost. The Corporation will soon launch the online booking facility for cremation or burial services through its website www.chennaicorporation.gov.in. People can check the time slots available and book freezer boxes and hearse vans online.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page