The Allahabad High Court has urged the state government to take decisive action regarding the slow progress in developing cremation site infrastructure across the state.

Highlighting the insufficient development of cremation site infrastructure amidst the steady increase in population, Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Prashant Kumar emphasized worries regarding the lack of necessary services in line with the expanding demographics.

“The population is increasing day by day but the infrastructure at the cremation sites are being developed at snail's pace. It is very unfortunate that the common people struggle their whole life for getting proper amenities and even after their last breath they are deprived of from getting proper cremation facilities.''

The Court highlighted that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the adequacy of cremation infrastructure posed a significant challenge, resulting in difficulties in properly cremating the deceased due to severe shortages at cremation centers. These observations arose during the bench's handling of a writ plea filed by Rajendra Bajpai, the President/Manager of Shamshanghat in Bithoor, expressing concerns about inadequate facilities at the cremation site.

Highlighting the poor and deteriorating state of crematoriums and construction sites throughout the state, lacking fundamental facilities and infrastructure, the Court issued a comprehensive order on November 20. The order directed the Secretary of Nagar Vikas, Government of U.P., to submit a response addressing whether the state government had formulated a definitive policy concerning this issue.

In response, the Secretary of Nagar Vikas, Government of UP, highlighted that the Urban Local Body, comprising Municipalities/Municipal Corporations, operates autonomously. These bodies are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the adequate upkeep and enhancement of cremation sites situated within urban areas.

The response also raised an objection, stating that the Panchayati Raj Department, Government of U.P., holds the jurisdiction over the maintenance and development of cremation Centers/Crematoriums in rural areas. Consequently, it was argued that the Urban Development Department lacks the authority to intervene or regulate such sites across the State within Gram Panchayats.

Given this context, the Court issued a directive for the inclusion of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Panchayati Raj, Government of U.P., and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development, Government of U.P., as party respondents in the case. This step aimed to facilitate their participation and submission of a response concerning the issue at hand.