Nagpur Municipal Corporation to set up NEERI’s air pollution control system at 3 crematoriums

Nagpur: Possibly second in the country, Nagpur Municipal Corporation is to set up an air pollution control system for open pyre crematoriums developed by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute at Mokshadham, Manewada, and Gangabai Ghats. If successful, the project will be extended to the remaining 13 cremation grounds as well.

Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B and executive engineer (project) Sonali Chauhan will also execute the project worth about Rs 1.4 crore from the central government funds released under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP).

Neeri was also arranged for the first time in the month of March last year at the Nigam Bodh crematorium in Delhi.

According to NMC data, around 1,400 bodies are cremated in a month at 16 crematoriums in the city. And about 1,000 dead bodies are cremated on firewood and the remaining 400 are cremated on agro-waste-based briquettes, CNG, etc.

According to NEERI’s study, even open pyre crematoriums cause high levels of pollution. “Neeri’s technique is also based on the Char Pitta crematorium. Along with this, two cremation grounds are suitable for the technology, and to establish the system, an additional pyre will be constructed on one ghat. In about six months we should also be able to start operations,” Sonali Chauhan said.

Agrovest-based cremation was started in the city in 2015 by Limay’s NGO Eco-Friendly Living Foundation

People coming to the cremation ground and living in the surrounding areas will still be able to breathe in pollution-free air. About three ghats are in residential areas.

Sonali Chauhan has also said that National Environmental Engineering Research Institute will also monitor the project from the construction phase to operation and maintenance (O&M). “The contractor who has installed the system will also have to do O&M for the first two years as per our tender conditions,” he said.

Vijay Limaye, who has also initiated cremation using agro-waste briquettes in the city, also welcomed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s decision. “Air pollution control system is very important for open pyre crematoriums. When diesel, firewood, and agricultural waste are used, then pollution spreads.” They said.

This is also another step by NMC to make the crematorium eco-friendly. Agrovest-based cremation was started in the city in 2015 by Limay’s NGO Eco-Friendly Living Foundation.

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