A crematorium, being constructed for the Hindu community in Sharjah, is nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned in January, Norka vice-chairman and NRI businessman M A Yousuf Ali has said. Union Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Ali visited the site and reviewed the progress of the construction.
The crematorium is coming up on 8.3 acres of land near Sharjah Cement Factory. The land was allotted free-of-cost by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the supreme council and ruler of Sharjah.
Ali handed over Arab Emirates Dirham(AED) 3 lakh (around Rs 45 lakh) to Sharjah Indian Association, which initiated the project.In the first phase, around 1,500 bodies can be cremated in a year at the proposed crematorium. Once fully, operational it will have the facility to cremate 3,000 bodies. Separate seating facility for ladies and gents, prayer hall and the facility to clean the body will be completed in the first phase.