As desired, Sheila Dikshit to be cremated in CNG crematorium

Honouring her wish, the cremation of Congress' stalwart Sheila Dikshit will be done using the CNG method at the city's oldest cremation ground, Nigambodh Ghat, on Sunday at 2.30pm.

"The cremation of Sheila Dikshit will be done tomorrow (Sunday) at 2.30pm by using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) machine installed at Nigam Bodh Ghat. This was the wish by her when she was alive," her son and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

The concept of CNG to curb pollution was introduced in the national capital by Dikshit during her tenure as Chief Minister.

The CNG machine which was installed at the Ghat in 2012 is cost-effective and environment-friendly but people still prefer the traditional method of cremation, citing it to be against Hindu rituals.

This machine uses natural gas instead of wood, thereby causing less pollution in comparison to the funeral pyre.

Dikshit's mortal remains were kept at her home in Delhi's Nizamuddin East area and will be kept at the AICC headquarters on Sunday morning.

The hospital, in a statement, said despite all resuscitative efforts, Dikshit died after a cardiac arrest.

Dikshit, who died at 3.55 pm at a hospital, had served as Delhi's chief minister for three consecutive terms between 1998 and in 2013.

She was credited for national capital's growing infrastructure including roads and flyovers and better public transport system.