Puri, August 5: A severe shortage of firewood at Swargadwar crematorium on Tuesday disrupted cremation services, leaving more than 20 bodies waiting for up to four hours before their last rites could be performed. The situation was resolved only after the families of the deceased protested, prompting the arrival of a tractor-load of firewood nearly three hours later.

The incident, described as unprecedented in the history of Swargadwar, has raised serious concerns over the management and maintenance of one of Odisha's most significant cremation grounds.

Among those affected was Surendra Nayak of Puri, who arrived at Swargadwar around 7:30 a.m. to perform the last rites of his friend, Prakash Rana. Although registration formalities were completed, cremation could not begin because the available firewood had been exhausted. Staff at the wood depot reportedly assured the family that fresh supplies would arrive within ten minutes, but the delivery reached the crematorium only around 9:30 a.m. The cremation finally commenced after the firewood arrived, with the rites concluding around 10:30 a.m.

Families waiting at the crematorium criticized the administration for the lack of preparedness, stating that no prior information had been provided about the shortage. Many described the delay as deeply distressing during an already difficult time.

The incident has also renewed questions over administrative oversight. During preparations for the annual Rath Yatra and on several other occasions, district officials, including the Collector, Sub-Collector, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), and officials of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), had assured that Swargadwar would not face a shortage of firewood. The unexpected disruption has now highlighted apparent shortcomings in planning and supply management.

The Swargadwar Management Committee, headed by the District Collector and comprising other administrative officials, has yet to issue an official statement. The committee is responsible for ensuring smooth operations and maintaining facilities at the crematorium. However, visitors and local residents have repeatedly complained about poor sanitation and inadequate maintenance.

Swargadwar handles more than 100 cremations every day, requiring over 200 quintals of firewood daily. Casuarina wood is supplied primarily from the Astaranga and Khordha forest divisions by the OFDC and the Forest Department. Critics allege that despite these arrangements, officials have failed to maintain sufficient stock or regularly assess supply requirements, leading to Tuesday's crisis.

Reacting to the incident, Aam Aadmi Party district president Sanjeeb Mohanty said the recent floods had submerged many village cremation grounds, forcing families to bring bodies to Swargadwar. He alleged that the crematorium's management had failed to cope with the increased demand and called on the government to take immediate corrective measures.

Mohanty also claimed that, despite receiving official remuneration, some cremation workers continued to demand an additional ₹500 to ₹1,000 from bereaved families for conducting the last rites. He urged the authorities to investigate the allegations and restore the dignity and proper functioning of the sacred cremation site.