Bhubaneswar's Major Gas Crematorium Forced to Close Amid Supply Crisis
The largest gas-based crematorium in Bhubaneswar, located at Satya Nagar, has been compelled to suspend its operations for an entire week due to a severe shortage of commercial gas cylinders. This disruption is reportedly a direct consequence of the ongoing turmoil in West Asia, which has disrupted supply chains and created logistical challenges for essential services.
Mayor Confirms Seven-Day Cylinder Supply Halt
Mayor Sulochana Das has officially confirmed that the Satya Nagar crematorium has not received any commercial cylinder deliveries for the past seven days. This critical shortage has led to the complete shutdown of the gas-powered burning chamber at the facility, which typically handles a significant portion of the city's cremation demands. "Around five to six bodies come for cremation daily at the Satya Nagar facility," stated Mayor Das, highlighting the operational impact. As a temporary measure, the crematorium has reverted to traditional wood-based burning of bodies to continue serving the community.
Families Affected and Civic Response
The supply issue came to public attention after numerous complaints were lodged regarding the non-availability of LPG cylinders. The Satya Nagar crematorium, one of the busiest funeral facilities in Bhubaneswar, underwent a major renovation costing approximately Rs 3.2 crore. It now features six open wood-based chulhas and six closed ones, in addition to the gas facility. The disruption has particularly affected families who rely on the modern gas-based system for cremation, which is often preferred for its convenience and efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Officials from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) explained that the gas chambers were introduced while retaining the traditional wood-fired chulhas, allowing families to choose according to their beliefs and practical needs. In addition to Satya Nagar, there are two other gas-based crematoriums in the city at Dharma Vihar and Aiginia, but these have very low footfall. The city also operates the Bharatpur crematorium, which is exclusively wood-based.
Infrastructure and Historical Context
The BMC has invested significantly in modernizing the Satya Nagar crematorium, which now includes amenities such as changing rooms, sitting areas, rest sheds, and wood storage space. Land has also been reserved for future expansion and further modernization efforts. Last year, the BMC introduced a user fee of Rs 2,000 for cremation of a single body in the gas-powered chamber, reflecting the operational costs associated with maintaining such facilities.
Historically, BMC officials considered electric cremation chambers but found them to be expensive and unreliable. The electric systems frequently developed technical faults and required a monthly power expenditure ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Additionally, these chambers had to remain continuously switched on because it took nearly three hours to reach the temperature required for cremation. In contrast, gas-based systems are considered less cumbersome and more efficient, making the current supply shortage all the more impactful for the city's funeral services.
