COIMBATORE: Gas-based crematoriums operated by the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) are facing a severe LPG shortage, with available cylinder stocks expected to last only two to three days. The shortage has forced the civic body to make alternate arrangements to ensure that cremations continue without disruption.
Owing to the West Asia war's impact on the country in the form of LPG cylinder shortages, especially commercial cylinders, several hotels in the city have also limited their menu, operational timings and some small-scale eateries have even been forced to shut shop. The gas crematoriums, which are operated by several NGOs, have also begun facing the heat of the nationwide LPG shortage. The disruption in supply has also affected households, businesses, auto LPG pumping stations, hostels and educational institutions.
Speaking to TNIE, CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said the civic body is closely monitoring the situation and has begun preparing alternatives. "There are a total of 11 gas crematoriums functioning across the city. On average, 32 bodies are cremated each day in these facilities. With around 15 kg of gas required to cremate a single body, the civic body requires between 545 kg and 750 kg of gas per day to cremate bodies that are brought to the facility. At present, the CCMC has cylinder stocks that could last only for two to three days," he added.
Currently, the bodies are yet to be diverted as the gas crematoriums have adequate stockpile. However, the commissioner revealed that the bodies would be diverted to electric and firewood crematoriums in upcoming days if the next batch of cylinders which they have ordered doesn’t come on time.
The CCMC has placed the order with gas agencies on Wednesday for the next batch of cylinders in order to stock up at the crematoriums. However, the officials said no timeline was revealed to them by the gas dealers.
At present stocks would last around 3 days only. A handful of crematoriums have stocks for about a week to 10 days. The Commissioner also told TNIE that they can use the same gas crematoriums if they get firewood.
“The staff will be able to cremate bodies using firewood in the same gas crematoriums just by cutting the gas supply off.” As of now, all the gas crematoriums continue to function normally. Officials said that the state government has instructed the civic body to prioritise LPG cylinder supply for vital food projects such as the morning breakfast scheme for school children.
Officials said that the state government has instructed the civic body to prioritise LPG cylinder supply for vital food projects such as the morning breakfast scheme for school children, noon meal programme for children, sanitary workers' breakfast scheme, and hospitals.