Swargadwar Management / Puri Swargadwar’s Sanctity Fades amid Poor Sanitation and Delayed Upgrades

Puri, Aug 11: The atmosphere of Swargadwar, Odisha’s most revered cremation ground, has been overshadowed by poor sanitation and stalled development.

Piles of bamboo, ropes, and ashes lie scattered for days, turning the spiritual site into an eyesore. Despite the presence of 22 sanitation workers and a supervisor, cleanliness remains elusive.

Locals complain that bamboo used during funeral rites often remains unattended, attracting stray animals. Heaps of ashes and waste materials accumulate without timely disposal, diminishing the sanctity and beauty of the site.

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Even after the Swargadwar Seva Committee increased the service fee from ₹500 to ₹600 to improve maintenance, the situation has barely changed.

Authorities had earlier decided to install wood-based crematorium machines to reduce pollution and ash generation. However, the project has been pending for nearly one and a half years.

The proposed system, costing around ₹30-40 lakh, would use less wood — about 70-80 kg instead of the usual 180 kg per cremation — while preserving traditional rituals. The air-powered mechanism would minimize smoke and ash emissions, ensuring cleaner surroundings and better environmental protection.

District officials confirmed that a technical committee is currently reviewing the project and that installation will begin soon. The machines are expected to significantly reduce pollution and improve hygiene at the cremation site.

Meanwhile, the administration is planning to convert waste generated from Swargadwar into organic waste for treatment at a dedicated plant, further supporting sustainable management.

Despite these initiatives, several proposals approved by the Swargadwar governing body remain unimplemented. The district administration has assured that coordination between the Swargadwar management committee and civic bodies will be strengthened to ensure lasting cleanliness and environmental safety.

Swargadwar, known as the gateway to heaven for devotees, now awaits a revival of its lost serenity and sanctity through effective action and timely execution of long-delayed projects.