Puri, August 6: A day after a severe firewood shortage at Puri's Swargadwar crematorium left more than 20 bodies waiting for up to four hours for cremation, another incident on Tuesday highlighted that the crisis is far from over. This time, a family from Jagatsinghpur district brought more than two quintals of firewood along with the body of their deceased relative to avoid any delay in performing the last rites.

The family of Giridhari Swain from Paradip reached Swargadwar with the body and their own stock of firewood after learning through media reports about the disruption in cremation services caused by the shortage. After completing the required formalities and paying the prescribed charges, they performed the last rites.

The deceased's son, Nihar Swain, said the family decided to carry firewood after reports revealed that over 20 bodies had remained at the crematorium for several hours due to the non-availability of usable logs.

The latest incident indicates that the firewood shortage at Swargadwar remains unresolved. Sources said properly cut logs required for cremation have been running out frequently over the past two days, while oversized logs available at the site cannot be used immediately, leaving grieving families to wait.

Visitors have also raised concerns over poor sanitation, inadequate drinking water facilities and the condition of the cremation platforms. Social activist Chandrasekhar Mishra alleged that the platforms are not cleaned regularly, families are often forced to purchase firewood from private sources, and funds under the Harishchandra Assistance Scheme are being misused. He also claimed that portions of crematorium land, earlier cleared of encroachment, have once again been illegally occupied despite repeated complaints.

The Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), responsible for supplying firewood to Swargadwar, has also come under scrutiny. While the corporation has reportedly increased the price of firewood, it is alleged that it has failed to supply adequately dried and properly sized casuarina (Jhau) logs. Instead, larger Acacia and other forest wood logs are reportedly being supplied, making cremation difficult and fuelling public dissatisfaction.

No official response from OFDC was available till the filing of this report.