‘Ferrying bodies on potholed, unlit roads a nightmare’

The road leading to the Cheddha Nagar cemetery. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

The residents of M-East ward and surrounding areas in Govandi are facing yet another issue, this time while burying the dead - the problem being potholes along the way to one of the nearest and only open cemeteries in Cheddha Nagar under N Ward.

The shutting down of Rafi Nagar and Deonar cemeteries which are closer has already led to a lot of hassles, with family members of the deceased having to run from pillar to post to ensure there is space for the body at either the Cheddha Nagar (4 km away) or Cheetah Camp (7 km away) graveyards. While minors are allowed to be buried at Rafi Nagar and Deonar, there is no space for adults. Moreover, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is also in the process of testing soil quality at Deonar and Rafi Nagar graveyards to find out why the bodies buried there have not been decomposing.

Uzair Khan, a resident of Rafi Nagar in Govandi, lost his 40-year-old cousin last Friday. However, as the nearest cemetery to his house was shut, the family decided to perform the last rites for the relative at Cheddha Nagar. "In such a situation, it was very difficult to manage as there are also no street lights there," he said. The family took the body in a mini tempo, with a few others following behind on their two-wheelers. "We could've been injured," said Uzair.

Faiyaz Alam, a local activist who runs the Govandi Citizens Group, said most people from the area are using Cheddha Nagar Kabristan as Cheetah Camp is far. "It is a dangerous situation because of potholes, especially at night due to the lack of street lights," he said.

Further, Faiyaz claimed that the authorities at the Cheetah Camp cemetery give preference to residents in areas like Lallubhai compound over the ones in Rafi Nagar. "The one at Cheddha Nagar is the most convenient option in terms of distance," he said.

Daulat Khan, the manager of the cemetery at Cheddha Nagar, stated that they have approached the BMC several times to resolve the potholes issue as well as to install street lights. "But they tell us there is no funding to carry out these works," he said. Meanwhile, Gajanan Bellale, assistant commissioner, N Ward, said the department has not received any complaints so far.

The road comes under the Public Works Department (PWD), with whom BMC officials are now coordinating to resolve the issue. "Road work is ongoing there but because the rains are really heavy, some of it cannot be done at this time. But we will look into the pothole issue and fill them up," said Prasanna Kulkarni, PWD official, N ward.