Drain, crematorium ‘hidden’ for Modi rally in Ghatkopar

On Wednesday, the rally oraganisers were busy putting view cutters to ensure that Modi, who announced his Swacch Bharat campaign just a week ago, does not get to see the long infamous Pestom Sagar naala and the funeral processions bound for the crematorium.

Still, problems remain. Organisers agreed that those among the audience at the farthest end from the stage may well have to listen to Modi’s address with their mouths covered to keep away toxic fumes from nearby.

While the naala is filled with the filth from the entire area, an average of seven to eight bodies are brought daily to the Ghatkopar Hindu Shamashan Bhumi situated near K J Somaiya College. For the organisers, the biggest worry will be the direction of the wind on October 9, their only hope being that they keep the stench and the fumes away.

The main road leading up to the cremation ground will remain closed on Thursday to ensure that funeral processions use the adjacent gully. The organisers have put up 25 signages along the way to guide pallbearers and mourners. This will, however, also be the road that the public will be using to get into the venue. A major concern for them is putting up a partition in the path to separate those on their way to perform final rites for the deceased from the ones walking into Somaiya ground to hear Modi.

Raju Sawada, who is in charge of the preparations at the ground, says, “The road adjacent to the ground that leads to the crematorium is blocked for the day due to security reasons. Signages indicating the alternate route have been put to guide processions towards the crematorium.”

Some say there have also been requests from the organisers to allows only gas-based cremations on October 9 so that the fumes do not dampen the spirits of the crowd. However, Suresh Rathod (23), who helps families in performing last rites, says there were no such orders from the police or BJP.

“The gas-based cremation does not disturb anyone as the fumes go through a long chimney. However, when wood is used, the fumes are likely to spread across and even go towards the ground depending on the direction of the wind,” says Rathod.

Usually used for marriage functions and garba during Navratri, the Somaiya Ground wore a fortified look Wednesday. Come Thursday evening, the otherwise dimly lit road will be put under the blaze of six floodlights. Six giant LEDs have been placed at different places at the oddly shaped ground. More than 25,000 chairs have been placed in large semicircles for the crowd, which is expected to start trickling in since as early as 4 pm.

The buzz in the area is palpable. Rajesh Shah (56), a property consultant, calls it a “very big day”. “It is one of the biggest days in my life and I am really looking forward to his address. He is a great leader and I cannot recall anyone like him who has visited Ghatkopar in over a decade now. It is also special that the Prime Minister is coming to our ‘gaon (village),” he says.

Gujarati families from Ghatkopar, Mulund, Bhandup and Kanjurmarg are expected to arrive in large numbers in buses and private vehicles, and the organisers have provided parking space en route the crematorium.

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