Green crematoria at Bkp, Kalyani to check pollution
Times of India | 9 March 2026
Kolkata: Two electric crematoria on the banks of Hooghly, one at Kalyani and another at Barrackpore, have been set up for pollution-free cremation. The electric crematoria, with the one at Barrackpore featuring unique aspects as an eco-green cremation system, have been set up by the West Bengal State Mission for Clean Ganga.
The electric crematorium at Kalyani, situated on the river bank in ward no 8 of Kalyani Municipality, is the first of its kind in Kalyani and is ready for commercial operation. The crematorium is equipped with a furnace, a water scrubber, and a 30m long chimney.
The electric crematorium at Rani Rashmoni ghat in Barrackpore has a unique eco-green cremation system which consumes less electricity. The crematoria has been set up incorporating a furnace, a three-stage decarbonisation filtration system, and a 30 m chimney. "The key feature of the electric crematorium at Barrackpore is that it has a significantly lower electricity consumption system, about 30% to 40% less than conventional electric systems, while ensuring minimal air and water pollution," said a govt official.
"Work of developing the two electric crematoria has been completed for pollution-free cremation on the banks of Hooghly, featuring a well-designed and aesthetically developed facility," the official added. The WB State Mission for Clean Ganga, along with the state irrigation and waterways dept, also signed a conservation MoU with a German firm for the management of the Icchamati and Jalangi river basins to remove pollutants from the two key rivers in the upper Ganga delta, as well as minimising erosion of the river banks.
"The objective is to build the capacity of the govt and all stakeholders to adopt an integrated river basin planning and management approach for the protection and rejuvenation of the Ganges and its tributaries," said an official.