Puri: The district administration has planned to set up modern facilities at Swargadwar cremation ground in the city here, sources said.
The administration has initiated process to give a facelift to the cremation ground. A private agency from Hyderabad has been roped in by the administration to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for setting up of modern facilities at Swargadwar, sources added.
“The administration has included Swargadwar renovation in its developmental plan for the Holy City. The cremation ground will have modern facilities soon,” said a source in the district administration. Hundreds of people from across the state come to Swargadwar to perform the last rites of their near and dear ones. It is believed that human beings attain salvation if their bodies are cremated at Swargadwar.
It is learnt that the administration has planned to develop Swargadwar in line with Mahaprasthanam crematorium in Hyderabad. Officials from the Hyderabad-based private agency have recently visited Swargadwar and held discussions with the district administration.
“We will initiate the work after receiving the DPR,” said Puri Collector Balwant Singh.
Sources in the district administration confirmed that the collector and other senior officials had visited Hyderabad to observe the functioning of Mahaprasthanam crematorium.
As per the plan, the administration will beautify the entrance of Swargadwar and construct some altar-like structures for cremation of bodies. Besides, the administration will construct a waiting room and locker facility at the cremation ground.
“We will beautify Swargadwar with lawns. People would not face any inconvenience at the cremation ground,” said an official of the district administration.