Almost four months after the triple-train crash at Bahanaga in Balasore district of Odisha that claimed 296 lives, the cremation of the 28 unclaimed bodies began on Tuesday.

The unclaimed bodies had been lying in the morgue of the All India Institute
of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, since June 3, the day after the accident.

While the bodies of most of the victims were handed over to the relatives either at Balasore or in Bhubaneswar after proper identification, 28 bodies remained unclaimed.

On Tuesday, nine unclaimed bodies wrapped in polythene bags were handed over to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the presence of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials.

The remaining bodies will be handed over to the municipal authorities in a phased manner.

AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, had received 162 bodies from Balasore and kept them in sanitised containers. Later, it handed over 134 bodies to the relatives of the victims after identification followed by a DNA test.

Pradeep Prusty, 49, who along with his wife Madhusmita cremated the unclaimed bodies, told The Telegraph: “The bodies are almost decomposed. All the bodies were swollen and well beyond recognition now. Foul smell was emanating from them. Cremating such highly decomposed bodies is a challenge.”

Prusty, head of the Pradeep Seva Trust, said: “During the Covid times, we learnt how to cremate bodies withstanding all kinds of problems. We never shy away from our duty. I
can’t remember how many bodies I have cremated. It must be more than 2,000
over the years. It’s the police, health officials and people who inform us about accidents. We go and bring the bodies to the post-mortem room.”

Prusty’s wife Madhusmita said: “It is painful to see bodies being cremated in the absence of family members and relatives. Under normal circumstances, they remain present at the crematorium to bid goodbye to their loved ones. However, in their absence, we pray for the departed souls.”