Pune: 10 Out Of 35 PMC Swimming Pools Remain Closed, Safety Gears Absent, Swimmers Complain Of Triple-Fold Charges; Pool Owners Say Rates Haven't Been Revised Since 2011

As the temperature is rising and summer is nearing the corner, swimming pools across Pune are seen filling up. The residents are concerned over the hike in prices at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) swimming pools. After much waiting and complaints, the officials have finally woken up and issued orders for a survey to check safety norms and fees being charged.

PMC owns a total of 35 swimming pools across the city, of which only 25 are currently operational. However, residents are being overcharged, sometimes two to three times the prescribed rate, and they claim that this is due to a lack of regulation and inspection by civic officials. Moreover, safety measures at several pools remain inadequate, raising concerns for swimmers, especially parents of children.

Rates under scanner

PMC has set affordable swimming rates, such as Rs 20 for a daily pass and Rs 350 for a monthly pass, while students can avail of a pass for Rs 250. However, several swimming pools are charging between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per entry, and monthly passes are being sold for Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. These increased rates violate PMC’s guidelines, and the mandatory price list display at pool entrances is often ignored.

Violation of safety norms

According to PMC rules, pools must have one trained lifeguard per 20 swimmers, rescue rings, safety information boards, an oxygen kit, and emergency contacts. However, many swimming pools fail to meet these requirements, putting swimmers at risk. Additionally, the appointment of female coaches, mandated by the corporation, is not strictly followed in most of the swimming pools.

Avantika Shrivastava (21), a resident, said, "I wanted to join swimming classes, and I went to Babasaheb Ambedkar Swimming Pool in Sahkar Nagar. But to my surprise, the condition was not that good, and also the rates displayed on the board were different from what I was asked to pay. The private pools are charging even more, so there are no cheaper options available this summer for pools."

Pool Owners Say Rates Haven't Been Revised Since 2011

The Free Press Journal contacted a contractor who operates PMC swimming pools on the condition of anonymity, and said, "The last revision of swimming pool charges by PMC was done in 2011. Over the past 14 years, operational costs have surged due to rising electricity, chlorine, and staff wages. The outdated rates make it financially unviable to maintain facilities."

10 pools closed

After visiting a few swimming pools, the Free Press Journal team found that ten swimming pools remain closed due to maintenance issues and an incomplete tender process. Key swimming pools like Shivajirao Bhosle Swimming Pool (Shivajinagar), Keshavrao Dhere Swimming Pool (Yerwada), and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Swimming Pool (Hadapsar) are among those affected.

The residents are urging the PMC to enforce strict measures to regulate pricing, improve safety measures, and address maintenance delays.

Deputy Commissioner, Sports, PMC, Kishori Shinde said, "We would be cracking down on the swimming pools and contractors who are not following safety norms, despite clear rules like requiring lifeguards, safety equipment, and designated times for women’s batches."