38.6c New Delhi, India, Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Judiciary

Rising number of open cremations in Covid deaths: Pune Housing Societies move Bombay HC citing air pollution

By Mathews Savio      25 May, 2021 05:51 PM      0 Comments
open cremations in Covid deaths

A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in Bombay High Court by Six Pune Housing Societies, referring to the air pollution caused by the increasing number of open cremations in Covid-19 deaths.

Advocates Ajinkya Udane and Asim Sarode filed the petition for the Housing Societies.

The petition states that the crematorium at Navi Peth, Pune, is cremating more than 100 dead bodies a day despite having a capacity only for the cremation of 20 bodies per day. 

The petition also mentioned that the dead bodies of Covid-19 victims are burned along with its plastic covering, causing a lot of black smoke and a foul smell. The petitioners point to the fact that air pollution is a significant cause of morbidities and untimely deaths in the country and needs particular focus in the circumstance of the spread of Covid-19. It was submitted that the smoke rising from the crematoriums could negatively impact the heart and lungs of the residents.

The petitioners also alleged that after the cremation, bones and ashes are collected in gunny bags and dumped in nearby rivers.

The petition submits that the website of Pune Municipal Corporation claims that it has modernised six crematoriums with eco-friendly technologies. The petitioners allege that this claim of the Corporation is false.

The petitioner claimed that none of the crematoriums is equipped with such eco-friendly technology and that all crematoriums emit smoke. The petitioners also claimed that they have made a survey of all regions of the state and could not find any guidelines issued to address pollution arising from crematoriums.

The petition also alleges corruption in the tendering process for the installation of the electric crematorium. The petitioners' case is that Rs. 2 Crore budgeted by the Corporation for modernising crematoriums has not been effectively utilised.

The existing open-air crematoriums also do not have pollution control measures like a hood, blower, scrubber etc., the petition submits. Further, the chimney design is flawed as it is less than the necessary height, causing the smoke to accumulate at the surface level.

The petitioners seek direction from the court to immediately install pollution control measures in crematoriums and to move the crematoriums out of the residential area. It is also prayed that orders be issued for continuous monitoring of air quality.



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

denying-child-care-leave-to-working-mothers-of-disabled-children-violated-constitutional-mandate-sc
Trending Judiciary
Denying child care leave to working mothers of disabled children violated constitutional mandate: SC

Supreme Court of India rules denying child care leave for mothers of disabled kids violates constitutional rights.

23 April, 2024 11:15 AM
ignorance-is-not-bliss-okhla-waste-to-energy-plant-needs-to-be-relocated-residents-argue
Trending Environment
Ignorance is not bliss: Okhla Waste to Energy Plant needs to be relocated, residents argue

Questions on the suitability of waste-to-energy plants in Delhi are not new, but the 2,000 tonnes per day Waste to Energy (WTE) plant, situated in the middle of the dense residential areas around Sukhdev Vihar, is not just a major environmental worry but an example of how siting rules can be bent to accommodate a heavily polluting enterprise.

23 April, 2024 12:29 PM

TOP STORIES

pil-filed-by-ashwini-kumar-upadhyay-in-sc-for-yr-bachelor-of-law-degree-after-class
Trending Judiciary
PIL filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay in SC for 3-yr Bachelor of Law degree after Class XII

PIL by Ashwini Kumar in SC seeks to shorten law degree to 3 years post-Class XII, citing current 5-year span as irrational.

18 April, 2024 11:21 AM
centre-sets-up-high-powered-committee-to-suggest-measures-to-end-discrimination-against-queer-community
Trending Executive
Centre sets up high-powered committee to suggest measures to end discrimination against queer community [Read Order]

Centre forms committee to end discrimination against the queer community, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, following a Supreme Court directive.

18 April, 2024 12:11 PM
after-karnataka-hc-delhi-hc-sets-aside-government-circular-banning-23-ferocious-dog-breeds
Trending Judiciary
After Karnataka HC, Delhi HC sets aside Government circular banning 23 'ferocious' dog breeds [Read Judgement]

After Karnataka High Court, the Delhi High Court has set aside a Government circular banning 23 'ferocious' dog breeds.

18 April, 2024 01:06 PM
for-wrong-decision-of-suicide-by-person-of-frail-mentality-who-is-to-be-blamed-delhi-hc-gives-view
Trending Judiciary
For wrong decision of suicide by person of 'frail mentality', who is to be blamed? Delhi HC gives view [Read Judgment]

If a man of 'frail mentality' takes the wrong decision to commit suicide, who is to be blamed? Delhi High Court gives a prima facie opinion in the matter.

18 April, 2024 03:23 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email