Pashupati Aryaghat electric cremation service stopped working
6:29 PM
Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has formally started providing electric cremation service at the Pashupati Aryaghat area from Sunday. With the service, dead bodies can now be incinerated in 55 minutes, which would otherwise take 5-6 hours if done in firewood. The service will be available round the clock. Construction of the electric crematorium, which had begun with the budget of Rs 110 million, was finally completed after five years. The crematorium can incinerate 40 dead bodies per day, which is the normal inflow of dead bodies under normal circumstances, informed PADT. "We are providing environment-friendly service at affordable price," said Govinda Tondon, member-secretary of PADT. It would cost Rs 3,000 to incinerate a dead body in the electric crematorium. Those wanting to use the traditional method would not be forced to use the electric cremation service. "We will make people use electric cremation service only through awareness. They will not be forced," said Ramesh Kumar Upreti, executive director of PADT. People wanting to use traditional way to incinerate dead bodies of their beloved ones have to pay the usual price of Rs 10,000 per body. About 5,000 to 6,000 tons of firewood is consumed in Pashupati Aryaghat each day. Burning firewood has negatively affected the environment. Ashes and remains of firewood are being flooded directly into Bagmati River, triggering environmental concerns. "Electric cremation is a big step towards keeping Pashupati area clean," added Tandan. He informed they received 11 orders for electric cremation till late Sunday. The service was launched by Aanand Prashad Pokhrel, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
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