Gas-fired crematoriums in Pune to shut temporarily amid West Asia conflict

Amid the disrupted oil and natural gas exports linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Pune Municipal Corporation has temporarily shut down the city’s gas crematoriums due to restrictions on the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) components such as propane and butane.

Civic officials said the move follows a directive issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on March 5, asking authorities to prioritise available propane and butane for domestic LPG supply across the country, reported PTI. 

PTI quoted a Pune Municipal Corporation official saying, “In view of the shortage of gas, the civic body has decided to keep gas crematoriums closed from March 5 until further orders.” 

Authorities said arrangements have been made to ensure funeral services continue without disruption. Electric crematoriums and traditional wood-based facilities fitted with air-pollution control systems will remain operational for public use, an official added. 

At the Vaikunth Crematorium, three LPG-powered furnaces have been shut temporarily, while five electric furnaces will continue to function.

According to PMC Executive Engineer Nilesh Kalekar, the crematorium’s LPG stock is nearly exhausted, Business Today reported. He said the remaining supply is sufficient for only two cremations, each of which requires about 18 kilograms of LPG.

Spread across nearly 17 acres in Pune’s Navi Peth area, Vaikunth Dham is one of the city’s largest funeral facilities and typically handles around 20 cremations a day.

Meanwhile, the government has sought to reassure the public that household LPG supplies remain stable.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently said domestic LPG distribution continues normally and that India has adequate energy reserves.

(With PTI inputs)