Other States - Puducherry   

Generator installed at electric crematorium

— Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

The newly- installed diesel generator at the Karuvadikuppam electric crematorium in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: A 160-kVA diesel generator has been installed at Oulgaret Municipality’s electric crematorium to ensure uninterrupted functioning.

“There are apprehensions about bodies remaining half-burnt in the case of power failure. So, the number of takers for the electric crematorium is less,” explained municipal chairman N.S.J. Jayabal during a visit to the crematorium.

“With the installation of this generator, hopefully these apprehensions will be reduced,” he said.

According to municipal officials, the cremation of a body would take about 90 minutes.

The electric crematorium needs high-tension power to reach an initial temperature of 650 degree Celsius. Power supply would be cut off when the maximum required temperature of 1,100 degrees Celsius is reached.

An LPG cremation furnace would also be installed at the crematorium soon. Officials said that the new generator, installed at a cost of Rs. 13 lakh, would provide backup power to both furnaces.

“Although electricity is not the fuel for the LPG furnace, power is required for treatment of smoke and water, which will be let out later. The generator will prove very useful,” said an official of the Oulgaret Municipality.

The electric crematorium in Karuvadikuppam was installed in December 2006, with the consent of the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, to reduce pollution caused by traditional, open-air cremation. But, the officials said that response has not been encouraging so far. Of 45 to 50 bodies that arrive at the crematorium every month, only around 15 are cremated in the electric furnace. Cremation of a body in the electric facility costs only Rs. 850 compared to traditional cremation that costs Rs. 1,000 or more.

Municipal vice-chairman E. Tamizhselvi and commissioner S. Rajamanikkam accompanied Mr. Jayabal during his visit.

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

Stories in this Section

FMC lines up farmer-friendly initiatives
Generator installed at electric crematorium
Advance amount for cane farmers announced
Honour

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu