Pune News Desk

Pune: As the summer heat intensifies, residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad are eager to cool off in nearby swimming pools. However, their plans have hit a snag as the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to close five swimming pools in the city for maintenance work during the scorching summer months.

The decision has sparked criticism from citizens, who lament the lack of public swimming pool facilities despite a significant hike in their fees.

Currently, there are thirteen swimming pools within the municipal limits whose maintenance and repair work have been primarily handled by the Civil and Electrical Departments. However, the lack of proper planning and scheduling has led to prolonged repair durations for these swimming pools, drawing ire from swimming enthusiasts.

Recently, a few months ago, the municipal administration imposed a huge fee hike on these swimming pools, citing that it had not been hiked for many years. But, on the other hand, the municipal administration is seen as falling short in serving the citizens with the same promptness and efficiency.

Currently, construction, electrical, and maintenance works are underway at five swimming pools, which have remained closed for over two years due to ongoing maintenance issues.

Anita Kedari, Sports Officer, acknowledged the challenges, stating, "The closure of these pools is necessary for repair work, which incurs significant costs. Unfortunately, the income generated is insufficient to cover these expenses, resulting in delays in their repair."

As the municipal corporation does not have the proper system in place to operate these swimming pools, they are often given to a private organisation for maintenance and repair. But, even after that, people are not getting apt services as they often have to face the brunt of an increasing fee hike and not getting regular slots in those swimming pools.

The city's swimming pools are facing various problems, including damaged tiles, leaks, issues with water purification systems, and the growth of water hyacinth in certain pools. Additionally, there have been reports of thefts of faucets, lamps, sheet sheds, and iron bars from some pools due to inadequate security measures.

Among the eight operational swimming pools in the city, Late Annasaheb Magar in Nehrunagar, Late Kaluram Jagtap in Pimple Gurav, Pimpri Waghere, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar from Kasarwadi, Sri Sant Dnyaneshwar in Wadmukhwadi, Late Vastad Balasaheb Gawde in Keshavnagar, Late Balasaheb Shitole in Sangvi, and Sai Aquamarine in Sambhajinagar are providing services to residents.

However, concerns persist over the closure of lakes such as Khimsara Patil in Thergaon, Rajarshee Shahu Maharaj of Mohannagar, Meenatai Thackeray of Yamunanagar, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of Akurdi-Pradhikaran, and Late Balasaheb Landge in Bhosari, exacerbating the strain on available swimming pools.

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