Pune: NEERI To Check Pollution, Air Quality In ‘Vaikunth’ Area

Sadashiv Peth, 22 June 2021: The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), an institution under the purview of the Central Government, has been appointed to examine the pollution and air quality in the Vaikuntha crematorium area, said Hemant Rasane, Chairman of the Standing Committee, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Rasane said that the Vaikunth crematorium has three electric pyres, one gas pyre and six wood pyres for cremation. Eight separate scrubber and blower systems have been installed to reduce the pollution caused by the smoke coming out of these pyres. This smoke is processed and released into the air from a chimney over 30 meters high.”

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Residents of the area have lodged complaints in writing to the municipal corporation and online on the PMC portal against air pollution. A suit has also been filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court.

Ras added, “With all these factors in mind, all the existing systems in the Vaikuntha crematorium will be scrutinized through a third-party body, NEERI, to reduce pollution. Over the next six months, the work will be done through the Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to understand the current situation, inspect the site, check the smoke and air quality coming out of the crematorium, analyze the existing system and make necessary technical improvements.”

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