Amid Middle East crisis, Pune civic body suspends gas-based crematoriums; LPG supply prioritised for households

PUNE: The civic body on Sunday announced a temporary "suspension of all gas-based crematoriums across the civic areas following a directive from the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas."

The press release from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said that the central ministry's order, issued on March 5, mandated the prioritisation of propane and butane stocks for domestic LPG cylinders nationwide. This shift resulted in a shortage of gas availability for non-domestic purposes, prompting the civic body to halt its gas-fired furnaces until further notice.


As per the press release, the PMC's electrical department confirmed that all electric crematoriums and those equipped with air pollution control (APC) systems will remain fully functional to minimise the impact.

At the Vaikunth crematorium, which sees a high daily volume, the three gas-based units were shut down. Its other furnaces that work on electricity and wood will function.

A TOI report in AUg 2024 said that the civic body planned to start 14 gas crematoriums across the city to reduce air pollution after residents' complaints.

The civic administration had decided on gas cremations at Tulsiram Burning Ghat, Wagholi, Dhanori, Koregaon Park, Sutarwadi, Baner, Pashan, Sus-Mhalunge, Uttamnagar, Ramtekdi, Manjari, Kondhwa Khurd, Yewalewadi, and Mohammadwadi.

Areas under the PMC's jurisdiction have 24 crematoriums and as per the civic administration data, around 100 to 150 deaths are recorded every day. The civic body has said it uses eco-friendly methods for cremations.