KATHMANDU: The electric crematorium operated by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) to prevent environmental pollution currently has three machines, but two remain mostly non-functional. With only one machine operational, families waiting for cremation often have to wait four to five hours.

The concept of an electric crematorium in Pashupati was first proposed in 1982 but it was only installed in 2012. The facility has been in operation since 2016, yet within a decade, it has failed to operate at full capacity.

The project faced opposition even during installation, with critics arguing that Aryaghat workers would lose their jobs. Despite protests, the PADT began operations by bringing 14 unclaimed bodies from hospitals to run the machines. The increasing population in Kathmandu and the resulting strain on Aryaghat, which led to pollution and siltation of the Bagmati River, prompted the plan for electric cremation.

Initially, two machines were installed, but due to rising demand, a third was added in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of bodies were cremated, which caused two of the machines to break down. The remaining machine’s parts were reconfigured to keep two operational, but both machines remain out of service.

PADT officials and crematorium staff say the machines are under repair. Two months ago, only one machine was operational when inquiries were made. Despite persistent problems, the Trust has shown little urgency in maintenance. According to PADT Member Secretary Subash Chandra Joshi, delays occurred because parts need to be imported from India.

These two machines were installed as replacements for the ones damaged during COVID-19 and have been operational since March 2023. However, they became non-functional within a year and a half due to a lack of maintenance. A Trust employee said the supplier, MAP Entrepreneurs, could not perform timely repairs because payments were delayed. Maintenance, meant to be done every three months, had only been conducted once in 18 months.

Although the crematorium has three machines, with only one functioning and repairs neglected, citizens have begun questioning the Trust’s intentions.

On average, 15 bodies are cremated daily at the electric facility, with each taking about 45 minutes. The cremation fee is Rs 4,000, compared to Rs 15,000 for traditional wood-fired cremations at Pashupati Aryaghat. Given its speed, convenience, and environmental benefits, the PADT must promptly resolve machine issues to ensure smooth service.

On May 7, 2025, the PADT decided to purchase four more furnaces and one generator for the electric crematorium. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) accused former PADT Member Secretary Milan Thapa and 15 others of corruption totaling Rs 103.391 million in this procurement and filed a case at the Special Court on June 22, 2025. The case is currently under judicial consideration.

With old machines remaining non-functional and the expansion stalled, families seeking cremation face inconvenience, highlighting the state’s insensitivity even in matters of death rituals.