CHANDIGARH: Tricity’s first electric crematorium for animals is set to come up in Chandigarh by October. Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has already started working on this project. Interestingly, Mohali MC is also mulling setting up of a similar project in their area to earmark a place to cremate pets and stray animals.
Sources said the charges for cremation is yet to be fixed by the MC.
At present, in absence of place for funeral or cremation for animals, those having pets are left with no option but to bury them in open space after their death. In fact, the authorities are also facing a similar problem in finding a proper place to bury any stray dog or cattle found dead in their area. There have been a number of instances in the past in which a stray cattle was found dead on the roadside, but the authorities had to bury it in an open space.
Also, the stray dogs often dig out the area where an animal is buried, to feed themselves with the carcass. This can spread disease in the Tricity.
Chandigarh MC commissioner K K Yadav said he is aware of this problem. He added that recently, a decision has been taken to have electric crematorium for animals in the city. The tenders for the project have already been floated and it is expected to be ready for use by next three months. He also proposed that the Chandigarh MC can allow Mohali MC to bury their animals till their own crematorium is ready.
Mohali MC commissioner Sandeep Hans said animal burial is a serious issue as there are instances where dogs having
were buried in the open. “This results in seeping in of germs under the ground and can have severe health impacts,” he said. “Considering this, the authorities are coming up with an animal cremation ground in the area. It will serve as a source of revenue generation for the MC and hence, it is better to have our own crematorium, rather than depending on Chandigarh for the same.”
At present, there are six animal crematoriums in four cities of India. Three of them are in New Delhi and one each in Mumbai, Mangalore and Kolkata. Four of these cremation grounds bury animals in an open space earmarked for the purpose, and two provide facility of electric pyre to cremate for animals.