MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Residents of Ponda have demanded to expedite the renovation work of Ponda Municipal Council (PMC)’s ‘Mukthidaam’ crematorium and complete it before monsoon. PMC Crematorium is used by taluka locals from all religions for final rites. The renovation work has been progressing at a snail’s pace, causing hardship to locals in the taluka. The renovation work was undertaken following leakages in the crematorium premises.
It may be recalled that in March 2023, PMC started the renovation work on its two-decade old dilapidated crematorium. The work was taken up as the old crematorium building condition was in a pathetic state and the public was inconvenienced.
The renovation work was undertaken at a cost of around Rs 1.20 cr. The
renovation work includes putting up new roofing sheets, new tiles on floor, storage for wood, parking area, repairs of toilet, repair of stand used for final rites beside many other works.
Vishal Fadte, social worker at Ponda, said, “Some panchayats in the taluka lack public crematorium and so people use
PMC crematorium for final rites. People are facing hardships in performing final rites as there are very few equipped public crematoriums in Ponda.” Local Councilor Adv Pratiksha Naik said, “PMC is making efforts to complete the work in the next two to three months.”
PMC Chairperson Ritesh Naik said the work was taken up as the public was facing hardships due to dilapidated condition and leakages in the building during the rainy season. “Most of the work is complete and remaining work would be completed at the earliest,” he said.
