Efforts Intensify in Kotpad to Make Defunct Cremation Facilities Functional Through Administrative Discussion

 Kotpad , May 09:A discussion meeting was held in Kotpad regarding the revival and functioning of two electric cremation machines installed at the crematoriums of the Karana Samaj and Brahmin Samaj, which have remained non-functional for the past two years.
The issue had recently drawn public attention after a news report titled “Cremation Machines Lying Idle Like Dead Bodies” was published in a local newspaper on April 24. Following the report, the NAC authorities became active and initiated discussions to resolve the matter.
On Tuesday, the NAC Executive Officer invited members of both the Karana Samaj and Brahmin Samaj for a meeting to discuss ways to operationalise the cremation machines. During the discussion, opinions were sought from community members on how the machines could be made functional again.
It was discussed whether the machines are currently operational or completely defunct. If repairable, there would be a need to train an operator for proper management and functioning of the machines. Members also highlighted the requirement of adequate water supply for operating the system and proposed installation of tube wells or water supply arrangements through the Public Health Engineering Department wherever necessary.
Representatives of both communities stated that if the machines are officially handed over to them, they would take responsibility for future maintenance and upkeep.
From the Karana Samaj, Tripati Mohanty, Sushant Bakshi, Sunil Tripathy, Kunj Bihari Baidya, Pankaj Kumar Patra, and Anil Patnaik participated in the meeting. From the Brahmin Samaj, Gaur Prasad Rath, MP representatives Pradeep Rath and Chandrasekhar Das, along with Montu Hota, Bidya Hota, Kiran Mishra, and Ashok Mishra attended and shared their views.
NAC Executive Officer Kamalesh Mahant, engineer Rajesh Das, head clerk Gopi Majhi, and Public Health Engineering Department engineer Gaurab Kumar Kalo also participated in the discussion. Officials informed that another meeting would soon be held to take immediate steps for repairing and making the cremation machines operational.