The crematorium, situated on Mallandoor Road here, has received a fresh lease of life with the installation of a gasifier and development of a park around it.
Muktidhama Chitagara Samithi in association with various organisations has taken up the development work.
The work on the installation of the gasifier is nearing completion.
Tiles have been laid on the floor to perform various final rites rituals. The security guard’s room has also been developed.
The work on a mantapa and installation of statues of Lord Eshwara and Satyaharishchandra is in progress. The land has been levelled to develop the park. The work on laying the lawn, planting of flower-bearing plants and ornamental plants will be taken up shortly.
Jayanth Pai, who is monitoring the works, said, “The CMC, Lions Club, Karnataka Bank, Lifeline Feeds Ltd, Brahmana Mahasabha district unit and donors have lent a helping hand in taking up development works at the crematorium. A sum of Rs 15 lakh was spent on installing the gasifier. Around Rs 11 lakh will be spent on building the roof of the crematorium.”
“We had seen the gasifier at Salem. Hence, we decided to install a similar machine at the crematorium in Chikkamagaluru. It will take 15 to 20 minutes to burn a body in the machine. The maintenance of the machine is also easy. A garden will be laid around the crematorium. The gasifier will be put to use shortly,” he added.
The crematorium is open to all irrespective of community. A security guard has also been appointed.
The crematorium was constructed way back in 1987 due to the efforts of leaders Dayananda Pai, Sambashiva Shetty, Kodandarama Shetty, Chunnilal and others.
Security guard I D Umesh said, “The crematorium is situated in the heart of the town. Bodies are brought from different parts of the town for the final rites. On an average, 20 bodies are cremated at the crematorium in a month.”