The Pune Municipal Corporation has approved a ₹99.51 lakh proposal to outsource the operation, maintenance and repair of electrical systems at Vaikunth and Bibwewadi crematoriums, moving ahead with the private management of a critical civic service. The amount includes goods and services tax, according to a report by Sakal.
The decision was taken by the PMC standing committee. The private agency will be responsible for operating and maintaining electric cremators and other electrical equipment at the two facilities, as well as supplying the manpower required for the work.
Vaikunth Crematorium is one of Pune’s largest and most important cremation facilities. The civic body’s stated objective is to ensure that electric cremators and related systems remain operational so that families bringing bodies for cremation do not face inconvenience or disruption.
The work falls under PMC’s fifth administrative circle. The civic electrical department had prepared an estimate of ₹95,47,774 for maintaining and operating the electrical facilities at both crematoriums. The estimate was approved by the chief engineer on 18 May 2026, after which the municipal commissioner approved the tender process on 20 May, the report said.
The approved expenditure, including GST, is ₹99,51,000. The proposal covers the operation, maintenance and repairs of the electrical infrastructure, along with the provision of staff by the selected private agency. The report does not specify the name of the agency, the contract period or the performance conditions attached to the tender.
The move has also raised questions about the Pune civic body’s capacity to manage essential electrical systems using its own departments. The electrical infrastructure at a crematorium requires uninterrupted functioning, particularly because equipment failure can directly affect families using the facility. The decision therefore shifts day-to-day operational responsibility from the municipal system to an external service provider.
The central administrative question is how responsibility will be assigned if the service develops faults despite the nearly ₹1 crore expenditure. The report said the PMC will have to clarify accountability if deficiencies remain after the private agency takes over the work. The available information does not indicate whether the contract will include response-time requirements, penalties for equipment downtime or a public grievance mechanism.
The decision covers the electrical systems at both Vaikunth and Bibwewadi crematoriums rather than the transfer of every function at the facilities. Based on the available details, the approved proposal specifically concerns electrical operation, maintenance, repairs and manpower. Further implementation details will depend on the tender and the eventual contract awarded by the PMC.
