Guwahati: The Guwahati Municipal Conservancy Branch under the guidance and supervision of Commissioner Devajyoti Hazarika today cremated the first human body in the city's new electric crematorium.
The electric crematorium was formally inaugurated on July 17 last by Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya and placed under the management of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation.
The crematorium has been named as Dr Banikanta Kakoti Electric Crematorium and it has been constructed by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority in a bid to prevent pollution.
Notably, it has been made operational at a time when the number of COVID-19 casualties has been increasing in the state.
The crematorium has reportedly been built at a cost of Rs. 5.09 crores. However, the parking space is yet to be completed.
Although there was a provision of electric cremation at the Bhutnath crematorium in Guwahati, it stopped operating a long time ago.
The Navagraha crematorium has a gas-based cremation option; however, it is not preferred by many as many in the city still prefer the traditional option.
Electric and gas-based cremations have not been very popular in Assam, as people still prefer the age-old systems.
However, this new crematorium will have the option of handing over ashes to the families of the deceased.