Way to heaven eased: Amenities at Swargadwar cremation ground upgraded
Puri, Aug 2 (UNI) Amenities and facilities at Swargadwar cremation ground are being upgraded for the relatives who come from faraway places to cremate their near and dear at this religiously important place for cremation.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had released Rs.5 crore from his relief fund for development of the Swargdwar burning ghat.
Everyday dozens of bodies arrive for cremation as a popular belief goes that whoever gets cremated at Swargadwar goes to heaven.
The administration has provided basic amenities like a modern waiting hall, toilets for ladies and gents, drinking water fountains at the cremation, Convenor of Swargadwar Seva Samitee , Bhabataran Sahu told media persons on Wednesday.
He said the stalls for buying items necessary for the last rites are functioning round the clock and Police personnel provide security in and around the Swargadwar.
The amount under Harishchandra Yojna package for cremation availed by the people has been increased from Rs.3000 to Rs.4000.The components of the package like quantity of timber, ghee and other items were also increased.
The transportation of timber from the yard to the burning place has been taken care of by the sammittee,Sahu said.
This apart, the workers engaged in burning of bodies were insured against accident or death ,he added.
Single window system is in operation at the cremation site and acknowledgement SMS of burning fee receipt is being sent to the mobile phone of the user.
In the event of loss of money receipt one can get a copy by furnishing the message in the phone, Sahu said adding that soon an app will be launched in the website to help users coming from distant places.
Efforts are on to make the last rites of the dead hassle free. From crude cremation in practice a decade ago now it has been transformed into a well organised system to help people.
Earlier,the Puri municipality was taking care of the Swargadwar cremation ground but now the administration has entrusted the management of the Swargdwar to Seva Samitee.headed by the sub collector.
