Navi Mumbai: Residents of Karanjade were forced to cremate an 82-year-old man under the light of mobile phone torches at the crematorium near a talao on Sunday night, after the facility was left without electricity.The nearly two-hour funeral was conducted with around 15 people using their mobile phone flashlights to perform the last rites. It was the second cremation within a week to take place in darkness after the power supply to the crematorium was allegedly disconnected by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) over pending dues.The Cidco-developed node, located near the Navi Mumbai International Airport, falls under a local gram panchayat. The crematorium and its surrounding area were shrouded in darkness, prompting concern among residents over the lack of basic civic infrastructure.Local resident Vikram Jaiswal (82) passed away on Sunday. He had recently been discharged from hospital after undergoing treatment for a liver-related ailment and was recuperating at home under medication.His son, Anil, said, “Most of those present at the crematorium had used their mobile torch. There were around 30 persons present at the crematorium.”Local activist Ganesh Utekar alleged, “The agencies are unable to provide power supply to the crematorium. Hence cremation was done using mobile torch lights. The crematorium area also gets light from the high mast light installed near the talao, but adding to the woes it remains dysfunctional since long.”However, MSEDCL assistant engineer Amit Palve said, “The power supply has been cut off since long over bill default.”Rejecting the claim that the disruption was due to unpaid electricity bills, Karanjade Sarpanch Mangesh Shelar said, “People should contact me as there is another switch for power supply. The new staffer does not know about the switch.”A staff member at the crematorium said, “This was the second cremation done without power supply. The last one was held on Saturday night. The gram panchayat maintains the crematorium and pays the power utility bill. The power supply will be restored soon as somebody has inspected the site on Monday. ”– Umesh K Parida
