Tiruchi Corporation to undertake repair and maintenance of crematoriums

Tiruchi Corporation is set to undertake repair and maintenance work at the city’s crematoriums following frequent complaints from residents about inadequate facilities and recurring snags.

The Oyamari crematorium, located on the banks of the Cauvery along Odathurai Road, handles an average of six to 10 cremations daily. Although the facility was upgraded and renovated in 2025 at a cost of ₹60 lakh, residents continue to raise concerns over inadequate lighting at night and the lack of adequate water supply.

The civic body has proposed repair work at an estimated cost of ₹29.40 lakh. The work includes repairing two damaged pyre platforms, construction of a 100-foot chimney, and carrying out other minor repairs.

The crematorium at Karumandapam, which caters to residents of Viswas Nagar and neighbouring localities, faces operational issues. Opened in 2009, the facility handles at least five cremations daily. However, frequent malfunction in its furnaces and exhaust systems have reportedly disrupted operations.

Residents said the crematorium often remains closed owing to recurring technical problems, forcing bereaved families to travel to Oyamari or Konakkarai to perform the last rites.

A senior Corporation official said officials had been instructed to inspect the crematoriums regularly to ensure proper maintenance. “Any snags or faults identified during the inspections will be rectified,” he added.

At present, gas-fired crematoriums are operational at Oyamari, Konakkarai, Ambedkar Nagar, Panjapur, Karumandapam, and Ariyamangalam. Except for Oyamari, the maintenance in all other facilities has been outsourced to private agencies.

Under the existing arrangement, a prescribed charge of ₹2,500 is collected for each cremation, of which ₹100 is paid to the Corporation. The private agencies are responsible for maintaining and repairing the machinery, including cremation chambers, furnaces, pollution-control devices, and chimneys. Each agency has deployed four persons to run the facility.

Earlier, the crematoriums were operated by the Corporation; however, a shortage of manpower led to outsourcing their operation and maintenance to private agencies.