In the Kharadi area of Pune, a swimming pool constructed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at the rear of Rakshak Gold Society has been off-limits to residents since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deteriorating condition of the pool has become a source of concern for the residents, exacerbated by what they perceive as a lack of attention from the municipal administration. Consequently, the community is rallying for urgent action to reopen the swimming pool.
Social activist Surendra Pathare expressed frustration, stating, “This swimming pool has been closed since the Coronavirus period with no signs of reopening anytime soon. We are taking constant follow-ups with the PMC, submitted request letters, etc., but nothing has happened till date.”
Deepak Patil, Chairman of the Kharadi Housing Welfare Association, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the wastage of construction and maintenance costs. Patil emphasized that despite numerous complaints and appeals for reopening, the PMC has not taken action. The swimming pool, inaugurated just a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, remains unused and unmaintained.
Former MLA Bapusaheb Pathare of Vadgaon Sheri constituency highlighted the financial strain on citizens who, due to the closure of the PMC pool, are compelled to resort to private swimming facilities. He urged the PMC to initiate the reopening of the pool, asserting that citizens’ money had seemingly been wasted.
Despite nearly two years passing since the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, the swimming pool, closed in response to COVID-19, remains shuttered. Continuous follow-ups with the PMC Building and Sports Department have not resulted in the pool’s reopening, directly impacting the community’s access to this amenity.
Efforts to obtain comments from PMC officials on the matter were unsuccessful.
