Pune: PMC Plans Seven Gas Crematoriums to Reduce Pressure on Vaikunth Crematorium

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 3rd October October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a decentralisation initiative to reduce the pressure on the centrally located Vaikunth Crematorium, with plans to establish gas crematoriums at seven locations across the city.

The PMC’s Electrical Department has identified Mhalunge, Mohammadwadi, Yewalewadi, Uttamnagar, Khadakwasla, Kharadi and Baner for the project.

“The decision to establish gas crematoriums in different parts of the city was taken to reduce the pressure on Vaikunth Crematorium in the central peth areas. Work has been completed at four locations, while efforts will be made to complete the remaining three projects through discussions with local elected representatives and by taking residents into confidence,” said Manisha Shekatkar, head of the Electrical Department, PMC.

The civic body has made arrangements for around 150 cremation and burial grounds across the jurisdiction of its 15 ward offices to ensure that residents have access to funeral facilities closer to their homes. These facilities include sheds, electric and gas crematoriums, as well as burial grounds for Muslim, Christian and Lingayat communities at various locations.

Despite the availability of cremation and burial facilities across different parts of the city, more than 50 per cent of cremations are reportedly conducted at Vaikunth Crematorium. This has placed considerable pressure on the facility and its staff. The concentration of cremations has also contributed to concerns over air pollution and foul odour in the surrounding area, raising concerns among local residents.

Under the decentralisation initiative, work on gas crematoriums at Mohammadwadi, Kharadi and Baner has been completed, while work at Mhalunge is currently underway.

However, the civic administration has faced opposition from residents at Yewalewadi, Uttamnagar and Khadakwasla. The opposition at Yewalewadi subsided following intervention by local elected representatives, while resistance continues at Uttamnagar and Khadakwasla.

Demand for gas crematoriums in other areas

While residents in some areas have opposed the proposed facilities, demands have also emerged from other parts of Pune for gas crematoriums.
Residents have sought gas cremation facilities at cremation grounds in Manjari, Ramtekdi, Nanded City, Dhayari and Sutarwadi.

The cremation ground at Nanded City, however, has not yet been formally handed over to the PMC. In Dhayari, the civic administration has said that a cremation facility using newer technology will be established.