Varanasi Municipal Corporation Launches Digital Death Registration System at Sacred Ghats
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has initiated a pioneering registration service for all bodies arriving at the city's two most prominent cremation ghats: Manikarnika and Harishchandra. This innovative system involves issuing a QR-code slip to relatives, which will subsequently assist authorities in generating official death certificates efficiently. The service is entirely free of cost and represents a significant step toward modernizing urban management in one of India's oldest cities.
Official Launch and Immediate Benefits
Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari formally inaugurated the free death-registration service at Harishchandra Ghat by personally presenting a QR-code slip to Lavkush Sharma from Sonbhadra, who had brought his family member's remains for cremation. Mayor Tiwari emphasized that this service aims to meticulously record data on bodies at both Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats, thereby simplifying the often cumbersome paperwork for grieving families during their time of loss.
The newly implemented computerised registration system is designed to collect precise figures and enable an actual assessment of the number of bodies reaching these two ghats for last rites. By digitizing this process, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation seeks to eliminate inaccuracies and create a reliable database that reflects real-time urban dynamics.
Expansion Plans and Operational Details
In addition to the ghats, VMC has identified twelve major cemeteries belonging to Muslim and Christian communities across the city where the computerised death registration system will soon be rolled out. Mayor Tiwari clarified that the primary objective behind introducing this facility is to obtain correct data on cremations occurring at the main ghats, which is crucial for informed urban planning and resource allocation.
Relatives will only need to provide basic requested information, such as the name, address, and age of the deceased. Upon registration, they will receive a QR code-containing slip that will facilitate the swift issuance of death certificates. To ensure uninterrupted service, VMC has deployed employees in three shifts, guaranteeing their presence at the ghats twenty-four hours a day.
Long-Term Implications for Urban Management
This new system is expected to significantly enhance the management of last rites at the ghats, offering a more organized and respectful process for families. Moreover, the corporation will establish its own dependable database, which will prove extremely valuable for future urban planning initiatives and overall city management. By leveraging technology, Varanasi is setting a precedent for other municipalities in India to follow, demonstrating how digital solutions can address traditional challenges while honoring cultural practices.
