The Mavoor Road crematorium is being given a facelift with a project funded jointly by A. Pradeepkumar, MLA, and the Kozhikode Corporation.
The contribution from the MLA fund will be ₹2.25 crore while the civic body has earmarked ₹1.75 crore in the first phase for the purpose. The Public Works Department has already prepared an estimate for ₹4.5 crore, Mr. Pradeepkumar said. The project, he said, involved replacing the traditional crematorium with a modern gas chamber block. The existing background would be modified to give the area a pleasing look.
Besides, the height of the chimney of the gas chambers would be raised so that smoke would not cause inconvenience to the public.
Local residents have been complaining about the smoke emanating from the existing crematorium resulting in air pollution. The stench was cited as one of the reasons by the Corporation to renovate the crematorium.
Mr. Pradeepkumar said that facilities would also be provided for relatives to conduct the last rites of the dead near the block of the gas chambers. Further, toilets, bathrooms and sewerage have also been envisaged in the project.
A hall for holding condolence meeting has also been designed in the plan, he added.