Lucknow, May 2 -- Two mechanised green cremation systems at Lucknow's Bhainsakund cremation ground (Baikunth Dham) are lying defunct for over two years. Installed in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the systems were designed to reduce wood dependence and promote eco-friendly cremations. However, poor maintenance has rendered them inoperative, pushing people back to traditional wood-based methods that are both expensive and environmentally damaging. Each traditional cremation consumes around 400 kg of wood, contributing to massive deforestation and air pollution. According to Munna Kumar, caretaker of the Bhaisakund cremation ground, around 400 to 450 quintals of wood are used daily at the facility. The Urja Harit Shavdah Pranali (Energy-Efficient Green Cremation System) was inaugurated on April 9, 2021, with much fanfare by then urban development minister Ashutosh Tandon and former mayor Sanyukta Bhatia. Funded under the 14th Finance Commission, the project was set up at a cost of Rs 1.10 crore. The units were designed to reduce the consumption of wood by up to 60% and to enable near-smokeless cremations, thereby minimising emissions and environmental damage. Insiders revealed that only three cremations were conducted using the system before it broke down. Since then, the facility has remained inoperable, with rusted parts, broken chambers, and overgrown vegetation now dominating the site. Locals allege that the installation was largely symbolic and lacked long-term planning or follow-up maintenance. The environmental implications of the failed initiative are staggering. With an estimated 30 to 40 quintals of wood used daily, a number of trees are cut. Had the two green cremation systems been functional, thousands of trees could have been saved. The original intent behind the mechanised green cremation systems was to balance environmental sustainability with cultural traditions that require the use of wood in last rites. The systems were engineered to reduce wood use without fully eliminating it, thus preserving the spiritual integrity of the process while significantly lowering environmental costs. "Each kilogram of wood emits methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Now multiply that by 400 kg per body, and the pollution becomes unimaginable," said noted environmentalist VK Joshi. Ranjit Singh, corporator of Mankameshwar ward said, "The situation at Bhaisakund serves as a stark reminder of how well-intentioned initiatives can fail without sustained commitment, monitoring, and public accountability. With increasing pressure on natural resources and mounting concerns over climate change, cities like Lucknow cannot afford to let such eco-friendly innovations go to waste." The chief of the rubbish removal department-responsible for the upkeep of Bhaisakund said, "You have brought this point to my notice. I will personally visit the site and ensure that efforts are made to repair the machines at the earliest." Former mayor Sanyukta Bhatia said, "I will request and write to the LMC to repair these machines in order to reduce the use of wood in last rites." Out of the two electric cremation machines available at Bhaisakund, only one is currently operational. As a result, just four to five cremations are conducted via electricity each day, compared to 30-35 traditional wood-based cremations....