Even as the cities are growing, the population is increasing and accordingly the death rate is also going up. However, the problem of space for burial rites is also increasing.
IN 1970, Chikkaballapur population was just 25,000. The birth and death rate was also very low. According to the population of the town, the burial grounds were there.
But according to the 2001 census, the population of the town has gone up to 54,968. According to recent estimates, the population has crossed 80,000. Similarly the birth and death rates have also gone up. However, the area of burial ground has remained like what it was about five to six decades ago.
Including places like Nimmakala Kunte, Appaiah Kunte, Nakkala Kunte, there are several other burial grounds. There is a separate burial ground for Muslims in Sosepalya Road. For Christians there is a burial ground of nearly 3 acres behind St Joseph’s Convent.
But all the burial grounds are filled with graves. There is no place to bury new bodies. Due to space constraints, it is common practice to bury the body just next to the one buried earlier.
There are times when the skeletons and bones of the bodies buried are found when new bodies are buried.
Recently skeletons were found in the Dibburu Road burial ground when a body was being buried. Such problems are going to increase in the future.
The burial grounds have been earmarked based on caste and religion. Many have buried their kith and kins in their own lands.
Since the Vysyas have the practice of cremation, they have constructed a crematiion ghat on Dibburu Road. Brahmins have a crematorium on the outskirts of the town.
As the places for burial is fast depleting there are instances of the burial grounds being encroached and being used for agriculture activities.
With the land value becoming more costly than gold, every square inch of land is becoming valuable and is in demand. Hence, it is difficult finding new places for burials.
Scientifically, it is better to bury the bodies as it will not cause any environmental pollution. But if the bodies are burnt in open places then lot of toxic elements get into the air and pollutes it.
Go ‘electric’
Since there are such problems, it is becoming inevitable to construct electric crematoriums or gas crematoriums like in Bangalore. By installing such facilities, it will benefit people of all communities.
The CMC here should identify a place on the outskirts of the town and construct an electric crematorium. The district administration should take action in this regard.
Many people are bidding goodbye to the age-old practice of carrying bodies on the streets of the town. They are transporting the bodies in private vehicles. Many a time, the drivers will not agree to transport the bodies.
In such a situation, the CMC should provide a separate hearse van like it is provided in Bangalore and other cities and towns, says the retired principal of Government PU College Venkatapati.
Chikkaballapur has become a district headquarters and an international airport is coming up just 22 km away.