As evident, exceedingly high concentration of air emissions with respect to particulate matter and other harmful gases have been measured in regions around the crematoria. To address the high localized toxic emissions from crematoria, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has developed a technology knowhow to mitigate air pollution from Open Pyre Green Crematorias. Dr. Harsh Vardhan was speaking after inaugurating four pyres of the Green Crematoria, ‘Air Pollution Control System for Crematoria’, developed by CSIR-NEERI and also, three new Gas-based pyres developed by Indraprastha Gas Limited.
Calling for a comprehensive plan for institutionalised ‘Green Good Deed’ at the venue, he said with such green initiatives, a lot can be achieved in improving the air pollution index in the National Capital and scientists from CSIR-NEERI can play a major role in that. He informed that the central government has already been working for improving the air quality index in 120 cities across the country.
“Air Pollution has become a grave problem in India with more than 120 plus cities falling under non-attainment category as per the National Green Tribunal”, he pointed out and says, “In the recently announced General Budget 2021, a lot of emphasis has been given to allocate resource to mitigate the growing ambient air pollution related problem in India”.
The technology installed at VIP Pyre 3,4,5,6 comprises Fume collection and handling, Processing/cleaning, Utilities and Waste Handling systems. The system is designed with an efficient scrubbing system offering reduced emission of smoke, oil/greases, hydrocarbons, and particulates etc., with ease of recycle and disposal of scrubbed liquid and solids.
The Minister pointed out, “Such technology helps to reposition our existing heritage by adopting clear methods for achieving our national and global commitments towards the environment”. He said, “The present emission control system with slight design modifications, can be extended to LPG/CNG and Diesel crematoria to future reduce the emission from these systems”.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “Such innovation can also be applied to mitigate dispersed air pollution emitted from unorganized and informal industrial sectors like bakeries, namkeen making, or application areas, where wood is being utilized as a primary source of energy”. He said, “The system like these should be proliferated, under programmes like NCAP, Swachh and Swasth Bharat Initiatives, across the country to reduce the dispersed emissions generated from crematoria thereby impacting the environment and societal health, at large”.
On the occasion, Dr. Harsh Vardhan also appealed for body and organ donation for research purposes and cautioned that people must never let their guard down and must follow appropriate COVID behaviour.
Dr Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR; Dr Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI; K Venkata Subramanian, Chief Scientist, CSIR; Dr. Padma Rao, Principal Investigator and Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEERI; Jai Prakash, Mayor, NDMC; and other officials were present on the occasion.
