Jandayikkal: The unbearable stench that spreads across the area during power outages at the gas crematorium in Jandayikkal, Pathanamthitta, has become a serious concern for local residents. The root of the problem lies in a mechanical fault in the crematorium’s generator.

The gas crematorium, set up jointly by the panchayats of Ranni, Angadi, Pazhavangadi, and Cherukol, was inaugurated on March 10, 2023. Each panchayat contributed ₹20 lakh towards the project.

Although the facility became operational soon after the inauguration, it developed technical issues on at least two occasions, which were promptly addressed. However, the generator has been faulty for the past month. During a cremation last month, a power outage disrupted the crematorium’s ventilation system.

As a result, smoke failed to exit through the chimney and instead spread across the surrounding area, causing a strong and unpleasant odour. This incident led to an immediate protest by local residents at the site. The protest subsided after power was restored, and two more cremations were carried out in the following days using generators rented from outside.

The issue resurfaced on Tuesday after a resident of the Divyakarunya Ashramam in Anjukuzhy passed away. During the cremation, another power failure caused foul-smelling smoke to spread across the neighbourhood once again, prompting renewed protests. Residents are now demanding that no cremations be conducted after 5 pm and that no bodies be cremated until the generator is fully repaired and operational.

Normally, the gas cremation process releases smoke only after it passes through a purification system in the safety tank. However, during a power outage, the crematorium fails to draw in air, disrupting this purification process and allowing unfiltered smoke to spread through the locality.

Panchayat member Shyni Rajeev stated that she had raised the issue of the faulty generator at least twice in panchayat committee meetings, but no action had been taken so far.

“Whenever there’s a power cut, what comes out of the gas crematorium is a terrible stench. As a patient myself, I feel suffocated. I’m a heart patient under complete rest, and this situation is causing distress to me and many others in the area,” said Valsala Parayil, a local resident.