New Delhi: In Lok Nayak Hospital of Delhi, a pile of COVID-19 victims’ bodies is kept on the mortuary floor as storage racks are full.
As per the report, there are 108 bodies at the mortuary of the hospital. Last rites of the bodies are still pending as crematoriums are not in a position to accept large number of bodies for last rite.
Bodies on floor of mortuary
Out of 108 bodies, 80 are kept in racks and 28 are lying on floor of the mortuary.
Highlighting the situation in the mortuary, an official disclosed that bodies of patients who died five days ago are not yet cremated.
It may be mentioned that at Nigambodh Ghat CNG crematorium, out of six, only two furnaces were in working condition. Suman Gupta of the Nigambodh Ghat Sanchalan Samiti said that the third furnace has been repaired and it is in a working condition now.
Crematoriums not in position to handle increased number of bodies
It seems that facilities at crematoriums were not in a position to handle a huge number of bodies. Nigambodh Ghat crematorium used to handle only 4-5 bodies during normal days.
Despite an increase in the number of working hours, the crematorium is facing difficulties in handling the bodies. Earlier, the crematorium used to function between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and now it is operating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nigambodh Ghat, Punjabi Bagh handle bodies
It may be noted that Nigambodh Ghat and Punjabi Bagh are handling bodies of persons who succumbed due to COVID-19. For Muslims and Christians, four graveyards have been approved.