Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 21: The oldest crematorium in Jammu is still the victim of apathy of the authorities at the helm as it lacks very many facilities among which those related to cleanliness and maintenance are at the top.
The place of performing last rites has two entry points wherein the old one is almost closed for the last some years, while, a deep drain (Nallah) flows adjoining the new one, spreading the all intolerable foul smell which disturbs the visitors at the crematorium, while they already remain hit by the grief.
Ahead of this is a waiting hall with walls and roof exposing that the building has not been whitewashed for years together as its roof has almost turned dark with spider-webs hanging everywhere and the fans at the ceiling almost turned black due to the accumulation of a large amount of dust over them.
Apart from all this, a view of the roof of the waiting hall shows the growth of some bushes.
A park adjoining the entrance has almost turned into a jungle which clearly shows that none of the gardeners has ever touched it, what to say of planting flowering plants, fixing seats etc there.
Also as the park is very close to the river Tawi, presence of venomous snakes there can’t be ruled out.
The newly constructed cremation sheds and the waiting sheds near it covers a big area to accommodate many visitors and there are fans too hanging from the shed with Kota marble laid on the floor and some benches placed there for sitting.
Pointing to an outlet of a Nallah near the shed, an employee of the crematorium informed that it is responsible for accumulation of water in the waiting shed area in rainy days making the Kota marble floor slippery and many visitors were seen falling due to that as the Nallah becomes active only during rains.
On the condition of not being named, he further said that either the authorities concerned would have used non-slippery tiles for flooring or they should take the Nallah underground to save the visitors from falling during rainy days.
Near the waiting shed lies a big heap of debris which further exposes poor cleanliness at the place.
There is another waiting hall-the old one which is presently not in use and has now turned into a ruin giving a bad look to the place.
Apart from all this the electrical crematorium at Jogi Gate, installed years back, is yet to be made functional at this place of performing the last rites.
It is pertinent to mention here that a Nallah also disturbs last rites of the deceased persons at Shakti Nagar crematorium in the city.
When contacted JMC Mayor, Chander Mohan Gupta said, all the required works will surely be taken-up at the crematorium in a phased manner and many of these were already in their plan.
“As soon as the funds become available, all these works including covering of the Nallah etc will be done,” he maintained adding: “As of now about Rs. 1 crore has already been spent and more funds will also be made available for the developmental works at the cremation ground which may start anytime after April 2022.”
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