The renovation of the Ravipuram crematorium will begin on Monday.
The modernisation works of the crematorium owned by the Kochi Corporation is being carried out in association with the Rotary Club of Cochin. According to the plan, an LPG-based cremator will be set up at the crematorium replacing the faulty one.
The Rotary Club will contribute Rs.60 lakh for the renovation work. The proposed crematorium will comply with the pollution norms prescribed by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, said K. Lava, president of the club.
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The crematorium will also have a 30-metre-tall chimney, power back up system and other facilities. A modern toilet will also be set up in the complex.
The place around the crematorium will be landscaped for creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The club decided to support the crematorium project for providing a decent farewell to departed souls. The role of the club will be limited to providing the required support. The management of the crematorium will be the responsibility of the corporation. The club has taken up the project as part of its platinum jubilee celebrations, he said.
The electric crematorium set up by the corporation here earlier had stopped functioning as the furnace had developed technical snags and the corporation's efforts to find an effective alternative did not succeed. As the electric crematorium stopped functioning, firewood was used to cremate bodies there. The absence of basic facilities for cremating dead bodies had often invited severe criticism.
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Besides the funds provided by the club, the Corporation will pool its resources for the completion of the project, said Mayor Tony Chammany. The management and ownership of the crematorium will rest with the civic body, he said.
The authorities are planning to complete the renovation work within six months.
K. Babu, Minister for Fisheries and Excise, will inaugurate the renovation at a function to be held at 6 p.m. Mr. Chammany, Deputy Mayor B. Bhadra, and Mr. Lava will attend the function.