NGT Orders Not Followed, Pune Resident Approaches High Court Citing Respiratory Problems From Overburdened Crematorium

The Public Interest Litigation filed by retired civil engineer and Pune resident Vikrant Latkar seeks better equipment, other electrical and gas chambers, and an increase in the chimney's height at the crematorium. The smoke gets entrapped on the ground, increasing respiratory problems for nearby residents, the plea states.

"The intense smoke releases from open fire cremation and chimneys are prevailing under the inversion layer due to which the smoke lasts in the ground level of earth increasing pollution in the air thereby increasing respiratory problem around the cremation ground."

Seeking environment-friendly guidelines to manage crematoriums in Maharashtra, the plea cites the example of Green Crematoria developed at the VIP pyres at Nigam Bodh Ghats, New Delhi, by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) NEERI.

The petitioner, however, laments that neither is the Pune Municipal Corporation willing to switch over and become technologically advanced nor does the State have a policy on crematoriums. Moreover, electric cremation comes with its downside.

"The process of corpse cremation generates numerous harmful air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals. These pollutants could have severe effects on the surrounding environment and human health."

Though the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMS) claims, through its website, that it has installed modern cremation equipment's in six crematoriums across the city, those machines either don't work properly or are yet to pass the standards of air pollution control system, the plea filed through advocates Asim Sarode and Ajikya Udane states. They are Vaikuntha, Hadapsar, Dhankawadi, Katraj, Yerwada and Kailas crematoriums.

"The faulty nature of installation or without following the standard terms of air pollution Control norms the PMC has installed the modern Crematorium machine which is not only generating heavy smoke but also affecting health of the people surrounded therein," the plea reads.

The petitioner states that his wife is asthmatic and suffers immensely due to the pollution.

NGT orders not followed

Last year the NGT had directed the Pune Municipal Commissioner, to ensure that air quality is regularly monitored and put in public domain, and the crematorium is properly maintained. The State Pollution Control Board and the Commissioner were also directed to plan a comprehensive programme for the prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and to secure the execution.

The petition cites the NGT order to say the State failed to implement any of these directions.

It is unfortunate that the Respondent No. PMC is just sitting on the order passed by the NGT and followed no important directions. The situation has become worst now as there are 80 to 100 bodies are being burnt at the crematorium, which is way above the capacity of the said crematorium.

About the Vaikunth Smashan Bhumi, Navi Peth, Pune

It is one of the oldest and most well-known crematoria, developed by PMCon 8 acres of land in 1958. The crematorium is in a residential area and adjacent to the river Mutha.

The cremations provided include electric, gas and wood pyres. Provisions are made for open cremation; however, PMC hasn't provided pollution control system like hood, blower, scrubber and stack, the plea claims.

Lastly, the petitioner seeks to install air pollution meters and shift the crematorium elsewhere. The case is likely to come up for hearing before the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.