last rituals that according to the Hindu religious beliefs, pave way for heavenly abode for departed souls, will soon be performed at the Ranibag ‘Shamshan Ghat’ located on the bank of Gola river near Kathgodam here, in an environment friendly manner as the State Government is going to replace the traditional method of disposing off the dead bodies here with two electricity driven crematorium systems.
The decision of the State irrigation department to replace the conventional way of performing last rituals with the modern and high tech crematorium devices at the Ranibag ‘Shamshan Ghat’ can be described as a welcome development as it will not only help maintain atmospheric conditions of this region but also minimise pollution of the Gola river water which is the primary source of meeting Haldwani’s irrigation as well as drinking water requirements.
It is worth mention here that recovery of remains of the dead bodies from drinking water that is supplied to the residential colonies has always been a serious cause of concern for the citizens here who are dependent on the Gola river for drinking water. The citizens can be seen time and again staging protest in front of the Jal Sansthan office here complaining about supply of polluted water accompanied by the remains of the dead bodies.
However, apart from maintaining the quality of water, establishment of the power driven crematorium devices will also help save felling of many trees which are used as fuel wood for disposing off the dead bodies at the said ‘Shamshan Ghat’.
As has been suggested not a single day passes when a few dead bodies are not consigned to flame at the Ranibag ‘Shamsan Ghat’. Most of the times, for want of required fuel wood, dead bodies are not disposed off properly which only leads to the polluting of the river water.
Keeping in view these concerns now the state irrigation department has decided to equip the Ranibag ‘Shamshan Ghat’ with two modern electric crematoriums. As the officials concerned of the State irrigation department have informed the National Ganga River Authority is expected to fund this project.
It is a Rs 5.13 crore project and we have urged the National Ganga River Authority to grant that amount to set up two electric crematoriums at the Ranibag ‘Shamshan Ghat, said D C Singh, Chief Engineer, State irrigation department (north), while talking to The Pioneer in an exclusive interview. The Ranibag crematorium site will also be equipped with other basic facilities like drinking water and electricity services, to name a few so that visitors may not have to face any inconveniences during their visit to this crematorium site, he added.