Vaikunth likely to have unit for cremation of VIPs

Currently there are lack of facilities to accommodate huge turnout of people on such occasions.

The Pune Municipal Corporation,which has decided to renovate Vaikunth crematorium,is likely to set up a separate unit for cremation of public figures,at whose funeral there is a mass turnout.

The Vaikunth crematorium is the main and the oldest facility of the city. However,there are lack of facilities to accommodate people coming for the cremation of public figures, said Vishal Tambe,chairperson of the standing committee.

Besides the traditional pyre,there are electric and diesel-run cremation units at Vaikunth. However,when a public figure is cremated,it is difficult to accommodate the huge number of people who turn up for the funeral.

PMC will develop one cremation unit,which will allow a huge number of people to witness the last rites being performed. This will be useful during cremation of public figures, Tambe said.

Also,when there is a queue for bodies to be cremated,it often happens that a body has to be kept on the floor. The new infrastructure will ensure this doesnt happen,he added

There is no proper place for family members of the deceased to sit till the cremation is over. We hope to change this too, Tambe said. With the lack of parking space,the PMC hopes to develop a proper parking space in the area,he added. The PMC also plans to develop a proper ghat along Mutha river so that relatives of the deceased can perform the last rites there.

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