Kharadi residents frustrated with closed swimming pool; demand immediate action from PMC

The swimming pool constructed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at the backside of Rakshak Gold Society in the Kharadi area has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The condition of this swimming pool is becoming miserable day by day, and this is being ignored by the municipal administration as well. As a result, residents of the area are demanding the opening of the swimming pool immediately.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Surendra Pathare, a Social Activist said, “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, Kharadi Housing Welfare Association said, “We have complained several times about the re-opening of the pool but the PMC isn’t acting upon this at all. The entire construction is wasted with no usage, and no maintenance. Only the maintenance cost is increasing. The amenity space & the public money are getting wasted. The pool was inaugurated hardly one year before the COVID-19 pandemic after which it got closed & the condition is still the same ever since.”

Bapusaheb Pathare, Former MLA, of Vadgaon Sheri constituency, said “As no other swimming pool of Pune Municipal Corporation is available in the vicinity, the residents of the area have to resort to private swimming pools reluctantly. Due to this, there have been complaints that citizens are facing huge financial stress. Private swimming pools are unaffordable for swimmers in this area. If there is a swimming pool in the area which is not beneficial, it seems that the money of the citizens has been wasted by the Pune Municipal Corporation.” A request has been made by Bapusaheb Pathare to the PMC to start the swimming pool at the earliest.

This swimming pool, which was closed in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, is not open even after almost 2 years have passed since the restrictions were relaxed. Despite continuous follow-up with the Pune Municipal Corporation Building and Sports Department to start the lake, the pool hasn’t been opened which is directly affecting the opening of the swimming pool.

PMC official remained unavailable to comment on the issue. 

Shreyas Vange