For several decades, the burial ground-cum-cremation shed located at the end of Bajanai Koil Street, Kamarajapuram in Nandivaram – Guduvanchery Town Panchayat has been in a sorry state.
Some residents say that the burial ground in Nandivaram, is nearly 100 years old. Dalit families used to bury and cremate members of their community in Nandivaram – Guduvanchery.
“There is not even a hand pump or light. There is no compound wall. Dense vegetation covers the area and snakes slither out, entering homes on Bajanai Koil Street,” said G. Raju, a resident of Kamarajapuram.
“People visiting the burial ground fetch water from taps on the street as not even a hand pump was provided,” N. Ramesh, a resident of Guduvanchery said. They find it difficult to enter during the burial and cremation ceremonies and also, while paying respects to the deceased on their anniversaries. The residents are unhappy that while cremation sheds elsewhere in the town panchayat were taken proper care of, theirs was neglected. C. Sekar, councillor of Ward no. 7, said the vegetation had been removed recently, but it grew back after the recent showers.
Staff said they were carrying out mass cleaning in the town panchayat and would cover Ward no. 7 soon. The vegetation would be removed immediately and other demands, including a water connection and lighting, would be looked into, they said.
