The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Crematoria chimney height to be raised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Crematoria chimney height to be raised

Karthik Subramanian

Residents face smoke, health problems

SMOKING TOWER: The new chimney at Besant Nagar crematorium. — Photo: N. Sridharan

CHENNAI: The city Corporation is raising the height of the chimney at its electrical crematoria in Besant Nagar and Anna Nagar.

Residents living on the First Main Road, 3rd, 4th, 31st Cross Streets and Kakkan Colony in Besant Nagar and SBI Colony and Jayaram Avenue in Shastri Nagar have been complaining of health problems due to the smoke and ash spewing out the chimney for the past several years.

12-metre height

The chimney is now 12 metres high. Based on instructions from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the civic agency is now raising the height to 30 metres. Work has already begun at the Besant Nagar crematorium at a cost of Rs. 4.5 lakhs. Work would soon commence at the crematorium in Anna Nagar.

Apart from respiratory and other health problems due to the smoke, residents have also been combating the ash and other particles settling on their houses.

Many residents keep the windows closed throughout the day. The worst affected are children. Several house owners of Besant Nagar First Main Road had even sold their houses and shifted to other areas. The crematorium at Besant Nagar is one of the busiest of the Corporation's 33 crematoria.

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

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

Delta Airlines daily service to New York from May 11

State Government seeks Central assistance to improve film institute

Cable TV operators protest against Tamil Thirai telecast

Crematoria chimney height to be raised

Police tracking agent in Anna varsity answer sheet scam

Afforestation plan for Palani hillock

CLP leader meets Governor

Around the City

In Chennai Today

Reporter's Diary