For several years, a substantial swimming pool built by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in Rakshak Nagar, Kharadi, has remained inaccessible, leaving local residents increasingly frustrated. Constructed at significant cost, the pool was initially open to the public for only a year before the COVID-19 pandemic led to its closure. Now, three years after the pandemic’s peak, the pool is still locked, prompting concerned citizens to demand its swift reopening.
Initially attributed to the pandemic, the pool’s closure saw it repurposed into a quarantine center in a nearby hostel. Local residents in Kharadi had hoped for the pool’s reopening once the health crisis subsided. However, the extended closure has taken a toll on the pool’s infrastructure, suggesting possible construction shortcomings. While municipal authorities mentioned rehabilitation efforts through a tender process, significant progress has been lacking in the last four years, leaving citizens to wonder if the facility has been forgotten.
Reviving the pool will necessitate substantial repairs and considerable financial investment. Engaging contractors through a tender process is crucial to facilitate these repairs. The pool’s condition has deteriorated, requiring extensive work on cleaning, changing rooms, and electrical systems. The cost is expected to far surpass the original construction expenses, making it a challenging financial burden.
The Kharadi pool serves as the sole large-scale municipal swimming pool in the area, underlining its importance to the community. It is disheartening that while much of the world has resumed normal activities post-COVID, the pool remains inaccessible, resulting in significant setbacks for local athletes. The Municipal Corporation’s Sports Department has yet to inspect the pool or take steps to reopen it. The continued presence of unused COVID-19 patient beds in the pool area adds to the citizens’ frustration.
Residents argue that reopening the pool immediately after the pandemic would have prevented the extensive damage that now requires substantial financial investment for repairs. Experts suggest that contractors might be the primary beneficiaries in this situation. To avoid further delays and unnecessary costs, citizens are urging the Municipal Corporation to promptly inspect and repair the swimming pool to make it accessible to the public once more.
Santosh Bharne, Vice President of the BJP in the city, voiced concerns, saying, “We have communicated with the municipality multiple times over the past four years regarding the pool’s condition. It has come to light that the pool’s construction quality is subpar. The pool has been neglected due to official apathy. The municipality must initiate work without delay, or a significant protest may ensue.”
