Patna: Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Isha Outreach signed an agreement on Saturday for the construction of a gas-based crematorium at Digha Ghat. This facility will be the first of its kind in Bihar. The project utilises liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for the cremation process. The facility will incorporate limited quantities of wood to align with traditional practices.The state govt provided 2.11 acres of land for this project on a 33-year lease for a price of one rupee. Isha Outreach is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the site. The infrastructure includes four LPG furnaces, an administrative building, a waiting area, a temple and landscaping. Once the design has been finalised, the budget will be decided accordingly, and the project will move on to the tender phase. Sources at the PMC have revealed that the project will be up and functioning by March 2027.Mayor Sita Sahu said, “Under this project, the cremation process will utilise LPG after the initial traditional rituals. To honour traditional customs, a limited amount of wood will also be used, ensuring that the last rites are performed in accordance with religious and cultural beliefs.”Traditionally, it takes around 200 kg of wood to cremate a body; however, this crematorium will have a dual approach where one-two kg of wood will be used along with the gas cremation to reduce dependence on fossil fuel. Patna currently operates seven electric crematoriums across Bans Ghat, Gulbi Ghat and Khajekalan Ghat. The new gas-based system is intended to reduce reliance on traditional fuels and provide an alternative to existing methods. Mayor Sita Sahu and municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena attended the signing at the corporation headquarters.City engineer Bindu Rajak represented the corporation, while Yuvarajan A. represented Isha Outreach. Attendees at the ceremony included councillors Anita Devi and Manoj Kumar, as well as additional municipal commissioners Krishna Swaroop and Rajan Sinha.
