Meghalaya first state in NE to have electric crematorium

Shillong, May 20 (UNI) The Shillong Electric Crematorium (SEC), the first crematorium in the North East region, was commissioned by State Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh at Jhalupara area here yesterday.

''The new crematorium, which is both scientific and eco-friendly, has provided the people with an option to move away from the traditional method,'' Mr Lyngdoh said.

Mr Lyngdoh also announced that his department would ensure that the economically downtrodden would also be able to use the new crematorium.

Mr Friday Lyngdoh, who is also a senior church leader and adviser to Chief Minister D D Lapang, added that with land getting scarce, the Christian community would also have to use this crematorium in the near future as this was one of the best solutions.

The SEC would take only around one hour for cremating the body completely and the collection of the ashes would later be facilitated.

Considering the multi-religious fabric of Shillong, two prayer halls with pulpits had also been constructed near the entrance of the cremation hall.

The entire construction was built at a cost of Rs 3.81 crores, official sources added.

UNI