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https://www.newsclick.in/COVID-19-Crematoria-Graveyards-Running-Out-Space-Bhopal
> In the past eight days, nearly 550 bodies were cremated at Bhadbhada crematorium, including 440 with COVID-19 protocols. The crematorium has a capacity to handle only 45-50 bodies a day. However, the health bulletin issued by state says that less than 20 people had died due to COVID in the same time period.
> “We have nothing to do with government records or what they are saying in the daily health bulletin,” said a crematorium official, adding that we issue certificates based on the documents that the hospitals send us along with the bodies. Interestingly, the Crime Branch and CID people take daily records from us.
> In the past one year, as per the crematorium’s record, more than 2,200 bodies were cremated following COVID protocols.
> “Last year, when the bodies of COVID patients landed up for cremation here, we had a capacity to handle 15-20 bodies a day,” said Arun Choudhary, President, Bhadhbhada Ghat. “Seeing the numbers rising, we acquired two acres of adjacent land and made arrangements for 30 more bodies. Besides, we have begun an electric cremation centre which can cremate seven bodies a day. But, all these arrangements have been falling short, as we are receiving an average of 80-90 bodies a day since the past two-three weeks,” he said.
> As per some Hindu rituals, cremation is not done after dusk, but as COVID deaths started rising in Bhopal, the district administration asked the crematoria to perform last rites till night.
> At Bhadbhada, bodies begin to arrive as the clock strikes 10 a.m, mostly from Hamidia Government Hospital and Chirayu, a private hospital, close to crematorium, and flames can be seen burning till late night. In the morning, people come to collect the ashes. By afternoon, nearly two dozen bodies pile up for cremation, and by the evening, a few dozen bodies more arrive. This has become a daily affair at Bhadbhada Ghat.
> Some eyewitnesses said that no rituals were being performed during the cremation of COVID bodies, as the priests were fearful of catching the infection. In addition, instead of the traditional ghee, these bodies are being doused with litres of kerosene oil for quick burning, they said.