Pune: The cremation of deceased animals in Pune has faced a temporary disruption after the animal crematorium at Naidu Hospital was closed for urgent maintenance.

This situation led to animal carcasses being cremated at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj as a stopgap measure. However, complaints from residents about foul odors and smoke forced authorities to halt these operations at the zoo.

Pune records an average of 10-12 animal deaths daily, with approximately 6,000 to 6,500 carcasses cremated annually at the Naidu Hospital facility. Recently, structural damage to the crematorium required immediate repairs, leading to the 15-day suspension of its operations.

As per instructions from the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Additional Commissioner, the zoo’s incinerator was used temporarily for animal cremation. However, increased smoke and unpleasant odors disturbed the nearby residents.

Local citizens raised complaints, with the zoo administration itself urging Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale to intervene. Commissioner Bhosale reviewed the situation and issued orders to halt external animal cremations at the zoo, emphasizing compliance with its operational guidelines.

Following this directive, carcasses will now be transported to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s crematorium until repairs at Naidu Hospital are completed.

PMC Health Chief Dr. Nayana Borade confirmed the development, stating, “Repairs at Naidu Hospital’s animal crematorium are almost finished. The facility is expected to resume operations shortly.”

This situation underscores the challenges of managing urban waste disposal infrastructure while balancing the needs of local communities and environmental concerns.