Gas Shortage Hits Pune: Vaikunth Crematorium Stops Gas Burners Amid US-Israel Crisis

Pune: Ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran has now started impacting on local level. Due to the war their might be a possible shortage of gas. Municipal corporation has decided to close gas crematoriums in the city. Due to this, a total of 18 gas crematoriums in the city's Vaikunth crematorium and other crematoriums will remain closed until further orders. By paying for the reservations in the Municipal Corporation's development plan, there are crematoriums and burial grounds in the original area as well as in the newly included villages within the limits of 15 regional offices. These include sheds for traditional cremation, electric crematoriums, gas crematoriums, and burial grounds at various places for Muslims, Christians and Lingayat communities. Cemeteries and burial grounds have been built in all parts of the city to provide funeral facilities to citizens in nearby areas.

A global fuel crisis, triggered by the ongoing war between America, Israel, and Iran, has disrupted LPG gas supplies in India, leading to restrictions on commercial gas use. Consequently, Pune's gas crematoriums, including the three at Vaikunth crematorium, have been temporarily closed for two days. While 18 gas crematoriums remain operational elsewhere in the city, government-imposed restrictions on commercial gas purchases have forced the closures, according to Manisha Shekatkar, head of the municipal corporation's electricity department.

The closure of Vaikunth crematorium, the city's largest and most modern facility, will increase pressure on its five electric crematoriums. Gas crematoriums are favored for their eco-friendly and rapid cremation process. Shekatkar stated that gas crematoriums will resume operations as soon as the gas supply is restored, and efforts are underway to expedite the process by communicating with supplier companies.

Ceremonies will have to wait

Since gas crematoriums are closed, the option of cremation on traditional wooden pyres is currently being used. Due to this, there is a wait for cremation in some places. Officials said that efforts are being made by the municipal administration to make alternative arrangements so that citizens do not face any inconvenience.

Municipal Corporation's arrangements for cremation

•  Electric crematoriums – 10
• Gas crematoriums – 18
• Electric gas (hybrid) – 1
•  For traditional cremation – 112 sheds at 34 places (air pollution control system in 33 sheds)

The gas crematoriums here will remain closed

• Vishrantwadi crematorium - 1
• Koregaon Park crematorium - 1
• Vadgaon Sheri crematorium - 1
• Bopodi crematorium - 2
• Aundh crematorium - 2
• Pashan crematorium - 1
• Vadgaon Dhayari crematorium - 1
• Dhankawadi crematorium - 1
• Katraj crematorium - 2
• Amardham crematorium, Hadapsar - 1
• Wanawadi crematorium - 1
• Mundwa crematorium - 1
• Vaikunth crematorium - 1
• Bibwewadi crematorium - 2