Swargapuri, the burial ground, in Krishnalanka has acquired a new look and amenities with philanthropists donating generously. A gas-based crematorium facility came up at the Swargapuri here on Sunday.
The Swargapuri Development Committee has developed the burial ground by spending about Rs. 4 crore. A mortuary, lawns, vehicle parking lot, visitors lounge, and gas-based crematorium were some of the facilities that were newly added at the Swargapuri.
Vijayawada MP Lagdapati Rajagopal, Vijayawada (East) MLA Yelamanchili Ravi, and Vijayawada (West) MLA Malladi Vishnu inaugurated the new facilities. CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao, CPI(M) leaders Donepudi Kasinath and Koradu Ramu, industrialists Muthavarapu Muralikrishna, Parvataneni Koteswara Rao and others were also present. The MP showered praise on the philanthropists for developing the Swargapuri at its best. The Swargapuri does not look like a cremation/burial ground. It gives an impression as if we are entering a park, he said.
Mr. Ravi, pointing out that the cremation of bodies daily was likely to cause inconvenience to people living in the vicinity especially in apartments, said a curtain kind of thing would help block direct view of the burial ground.
Mr. Babu Rao said that the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) should take up the responsibility of maintenance of the gas-based crematorium. The poor would have access to it, only if the Corporation maintained it. Else, the poor might not be able to meet the fee prescribed by the committee, he said. Municipal Commissioner G. Ravi Babu and others spoke. It is estimated that the Committee would incur a minimum of Rs. 3,000 expenses for burning a body on the gas-based crematorium. The committee is planning to collect Rs. 1,500 from users. At present, electric crematorium and traditional crematorium facilities are available at the place. The people, especially washermen, are up in arms against the smoke emanating from the electric crematorium.
The Vijayawada Pujya Sindhi Panchayat (Sindhi Bhavan) in press release thanked the Municipal Corporation for developing the crematorium. The Panchayat donated a van, statues of Lord Siva and Jhulelal at the crematorium, society president Dayaldas Chandani and secretary Prakash Tewani, said.
