LPG shortage hits operation of gas crematoria in Kozhikode, Kasaragod

LPG shortages disrupt gas crematoria operations in Kozhikode and Kasaragod, prompting requests for urgent resolution as services decline.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortage caused by the war in West Asia is pulling the plug on gas-based crematoria in Kerala, with at least a few such in Kasaragod and Kozhikode districts facing operational hiccups.

The Kozhikode Corporation authorities have said that cremation will have to be decentralised using traditional methods if the required stock of LPG is not available by March 13. Just one cremation was held at the Corporation-run Smrithipadham crematorium, near Mavoor Road, on Thursday (March 12, 2026), owing to the shortage of LPG. Bookings weren’t accepted at the West Hill crematorium either, citing LPG non-availability, forcing service-seekers to scout for traditional cremation service elsewhere.  

“We cremate at least 95 bodies a month at Smrithipadham, but will not be able to extend the service as usual in the current situation. We cannot accept bookings without ensuring sufficient storage of LPG cylinders in advance,” said Satheesh Babu, Health Inspector, Kozhikode Corporation. He said the Corporation authorities made all possible interventions to address the concerns by Friday. Smrithipadham has four furnaces, each connected to 12 cylinders. This means at any point of time, 48 cylinders are needed.

Deputy Mayor S. Jayasree said on Thursday that the Corporation Secretary had submitted a request to the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) authorities to consider cremation as an essential service and to address the shortage at the earliest. 

An employee at the gas crematorium said a few additional cylinders had been arranged by Thursday evening to conduct the already booked cremations on Friday.