Corpns gear up to handle emergency as deaths rise

New Delhi: To deal with any emergency situation, Delhi’s three municipal corporations have planned to convert some of their crematoriums, burial grounds and cemetery as dedicated facilities for Covid-19 bodies.
East Delhi Municipal Corporation is likely to use the Jawala Nagar and Geeta Nagar cremation grounds for Covid-19 victims in case the number of fatalities goes up.EDMC mayor Nimal Jain said that currently there were three crematoriums and two burial grounds, which were being used to partly deal with bodies of Covid-19 victims.
“We have 74 pyres at the three crematoriums out of which 35 are used for Covid-19 patients. If Covid-19 deaths increase, we will use any of these crematoriums as a dedicated facility in addition to those at Geeta Colony and Jawala Nagar,” added Jain.
“All the preparations are in place. At the two burial grounds also, fresh refilling of soil has been carried out to facilitate burial of more bodies,” said the mayor. From April 1-12, 77 bodies were received at the EDMC’s five sites.
In north Delhi, 228 bodies were received from April 1-12. North Delhi Municipal Corporation runs six cremation grounds, one burial ground and one cemetery. “Since the maximum pressure is on Nigambodh Ghat where 130 bodies have been received this month, we are requesting people to use the other five cremation sites also. We have, anyhow, increased the number of dedicated pyres for Covid patients to 120,” said north corporation mayor Jai Prakash.
In south Delhi, 200 bodies have been received at the five crematoriums and one burial ground from April 1-12. Narendra Chawla, leader of the House, SDMC, said: “We have planned out everything to avoid any last-minute panic.”