Residents waiting for the long-awaited cemetery near Link Road will have to wait nearly two more weeks as pending work on funeral facilities and ablution arrangements delay the start of burials
MUMBAI – The opening of Kapaswadi Cemetery near Link Road for burial services has been postponed once again, with authorities now saying that the facility is expected to become operational on June 30 after Ashura.
The cemetery was earlier expected to open from the first day of Muharram, raising hopes among local residents who have been waiting for the facility to become available. However, the latest delay means people will have to wait for another 13 to 14 days before burials can begin.
According to cemetery officials, the main burial-related work has been completed, but some essential facilities are still under construction.
Speaking to Media, cemetery supervisor Abdul Razzaq Chunawala said the remaining work includes the construction of a covered area for funeral prayers and arrangements for an ablution facility.
“The main work has been completed, but a shed for offering funeral prayers and an ablution area still need to be built. This will take a few more days. Therefore, it has been decided that, God willing, the cemetery will start functioning from June 30,” he said.
He added that there would be no further delay beyond the newly announced date.
“Burials could have started from the first of Muharram, but the work was delayed because labourers were not available. That is why a new date has been fixed. The remaining work will be completed before then,” Chunawala said.
He stressed that a cemetery must have all the necessary facilities in place before it begins operations.
“Along with burial arrangements, other essential facilities are also required so that families do not face any difficulties,” he added.
The delay comes despite earlier assurances that the cemetery would be ready by the beginning of Muharram.
Previously, Maulana Syed Moeenuddin Ashraf, popularly known as Moeen Miyan and head of the Jamia Ashrafia Qadria Educational Trust, had stated that the work was complete and that burials would begin from the first day of Muharram. However, the project could not be opened as planned.
The latest announcement means local residents, who have been eagerly waiting for the cemetery to become operational, will have to continue relying on existing burial facilities until the end of the month.
