Thane: Residents staying around crematoriums complain of breathing problems

THANE: Residents staying around crematoriums in the city are complaining of breathing problems and stench thanks to the huge quantum of plastic being burnt with the corpses as part of the protocol.
The city has witnessed nearly 175 Covid deaths till date and majority, especially the ones located near dedicated corona treatment hospitals like Jawaharbaug facility, gets a lot of corpses for cremation daily. An official said that corpses are usually wrapped in plastic, as per ICMR protocol, and cremated keeping them covered, which residents claim is adding to the pollution in nearby areas.
The issue has been raised by Khartan road residents who claimed frequent dense fumes billowing out of the low height chimneys after the cremation of Covid bodies. Many, especially the elderly and ailing, have complained of breathlessness since the last few days following which wary residents now plan to approach the administration.
“This is the biggest cremation facility in the city and as it is close to hospitals, it witnesses the majority Covid corpses being cremated. The dense fumes can be seen every time a Covid patient is cremated which we feel is due to the burning of plastic body bags. This is leading to a lot of breathing problems for residents thanks to the low height chimneys,” complained activist Jagdish Khairalia who stays nearby.
Residents claim that if the fumes weren’t enough, they have to live with the stench of burning plastic throughout the day. “Life has become difficult over the last few days. We fear that inhaling these toxic fumes is likely to cause health issues for us in the coming days and make us susceptible to Covid,” complained another resident.
The other major crematoriums in the city at Kalwa and Balkum haven’t witnessed many complaints, say, locals, while the one at Wagle is located amid commercial zone.
Civic officials admitted the possibility of inconvenience and said they will look into the issue. “There was a plan to raise the height of the chimney but it will require the crematorium to remain shut for a few days which is not feasible at Jawharbaug in the present circumstances. We will analyse the situation at other facilities as well,” said an official.