Hyderabad: Space earmarked for Covid burials

Hyderabad: With local graveyards objecting to the burial of persons who died of Covid-19, a solution was found on the outskirts of the city. The management of the graveyard located in Balapur which has ample space has decided to provide separate enclave for the deceased. By Tuesday, four bodies were buried.

In October 2018, a 50-acre of Wakf land under Dargah Faqeer Mullah in Balapur was allotted a graveyard from land attached to the shrine. A section of which is now being utilised for burial of COVID-19 victims, in case the kin faced objections from local graveyards.

Ever since the reports of resentment from management of local graveyards started circulating, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM party chief Asaduddin Owaisi suggested utilising this graveyard, as it was located in outskirts. "Towards resolving the problem of burying the person died from virus, it was decided to utilise the graveyard and provide space for deceased," informed, Mirza Saleem Baig, Riyasath Nagar division corporator

He said that the graveyard would be ideal, as it is around 10 kms away from city population. "Those who died of virus are being buried in a separate enclave in the corner of the graveyard. Till now four deceased were buried," added Saleem Baig.

Adhering to the government norms and medical advisory, each grave is eight feet deep and a distance of 2-3 feet was maintained between two graves. For digging eight feet grave a JCB is being used. About three grave blocks have been made ready for burial of next victins.

Meanwhile, the residents living close to the graveyard have expressed objection. "Deceased are being brought for burial during night hours. To ensure the virus does not spread in the area, we request the officials to sanitise the surroundings as around 200 families live here. Moreover, this route can be avoided and an alternate path can be chosen where there is less population," said a local, on request of anonymity.