To Cut Waiting Time, Karnataka Looks For Temporary Cremation Land

Karnataka is looking for temporary cremation grounds at many places across the state, especially around capital Bengaluru.

Karnataka has recorded a relatively low mortality rate till now amid the ferocious second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that's hardly any consolation for relatives of the increasing number of victims being brought for their final rites. In the past many days, waiting for extended hours at crematoria has only increased the anguish of the bereaved -- so much so that the state government is now looking for temporary cremation grounds at many places, especially around capital Bengaluru. Ramesh, one such relative of a recent COVID-19 victim, said that by the time they returned from the crematorium in Bengaluru's Yelahanka area yesterday, it was 1.30 am. "Ours was the 28th or 29th -- the last body. It was 12 by then. By the time we went home and had a bath, it was 2am," he said. Another person, Ganesh, was still in the queue with the body at the Yelahanka facility when he spoke to NDTV today.