Coimbatore Municipal Corporation Implements Hybrid Cremation System
The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) conducted a successful trial run on Thursday to integrate both liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and firewood for cremating bodies at its gas crematoriums. This innovative move comes in response to a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, which has been impacting cremation services across the city.
New Method Reduces Gas Consumption
Corporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran announced that the trial was aimed at cutting down the high rate of LPG usage. "Normally, one commercial cylinder is used to cremate two bodies," he explained. "The trial run, designed to reduce this consumption rate, proved successful. We will now require only 2kg of gas for the initial ignition of each body, followed by firewood to complete the cremation process." All gas crematoriums under CCMC have been instructed to adopt this hybrid method immediately to ensure continuity of services.
Crematorium Infrastructure and Challenges
The CCMC oversees more than 20 crematoriums in the city, with a breakdown as follows:
- 11 gas crematoriums
- 3 electric crematoriums
- The remainder are traditional firewood-based facilities
However, most of these corporation-owned crematoriums are operated and maintained by private institutions, including notable names like Isha, PSG, and CRI Pumps. Each crematorium handles a significant volume, processing at least 20 to 30 bodies daily, which typically requires 10 to 15 cylinders under the old system.
Severe LPG Shortage Impacts Operations
The shift to a hybrid method is timely, as many crematoriums are already grappling with a critical shortage of LPG cylinders. Sources reveal that cylinders booked by crematorium management a week ago have not yet been delivered, exacerbating the crisis. Currently, the available cylinder stocks are only sufficient to manage operations for three to four days, highlighting the urgency of adopting alternative solutions.
This proactive measure by the CCMC not only addresses the immediate LPG scarcity but also promotes a more sustainable approach to cremation practices, balancing efficiency with resource conservation.
