After civic body ignores warning signs, Bengaluru's electric pet crematorium defunct since April 15
electric pet crematorium
at Sumanahalli remains defunct since April 15 after its chimney collapsed, damaging the furnace and halting operations indefinitely. Civic officials now say it could take more than a month to repair it, without clarity on when services will resume at the facility.
The crematorium's electrical furnace suffered major damage when its rusted chimney, previously flagged as a risk by operators and BBMP engineers, collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds on April 14, allowing water to seep into the system. The BBMP executive engineer (electrical) had identified the corroded structure on Dec 30, 2024, and written to the BBMP executive engineer (projects), requesting immediate inspection and replacement. The request was ignored, leading to the current shutdown.
Suralkar Vikas Kishore, BBMP special commissioner (animal husbandry), admitted to the delays. "On April 14, with heavy rain and winds, the chimney fell and water gushed into the furnace, leaving it damaged. Since April 15, the crematorium has been defunct and will take time to repair. It may take a few more months, but there's no clear timeline yet. We are coordinating with private agencies to manage pet burials until our facility is functional again."
Built in 15 months for Rs 2.5 crore, the Sumanahalli facility is said to be the third-largest of its kind in India. It serves as the sole public cremation option for stray and pet animals in Bengaluru.
The civic body's negligence has drawn sharp criticism from pet parents and animal welfare activists. With no alternative in place, grieving pet owners are turning to private agencies that charge significantly higher fees.
Samrudhi Parikshit, who lost her Saint Bernard last week, had to pay Rs 5,000 to a private agency for burial. "If BBMP's crematorium had been functioning, I wouldn't have had to spend so much. It's not just about the money — it's about giving our pets a dignified farewell," she said.
Another pet parent, Sandeep Mitraan, said, "When we lose a pet, we're already dealing with grief. Running around looking for cremation options adds to the trauma. BBMP should've acted when it was first warned."
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