After being severely criticised by different quarters for engaging a trolley to carry unclaimed bodies for disposal at the city crematorium, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday introduced an air-conditioned (AC) vehicle for the purpose.
BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena introduced the facility at the Capital Hospital.
Following sharp reactions among the denizens calling for a dignified treatment to the unattended bodies on publication of media reports on the practice, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on February 29 taking suo motu cognisance of the media reports served a notice to BMC Commissioner Krishan Kumar seeking a report on the matter within four weeks.
The BMC used to engage a trolley rickshaw for carrying unclaimed bodies on the five-km stretch from the Capital Hospital to the Satyanagar crematorium.