Acclaimed swimming pool shuts doors

Re-tender call by Chikkaballapur district administration attracts no contractors

 The international-level swimming pool at the district stadium has closed, after being open for only one and a half years, because of poor maintenace and a lack of accompanying facilities.

The swimming pool, opened to great fanfare, had been a matter of great pride for the district. The administration even considered it to be a significant achievement in Chikkaballapur five years’ of existence as a separate district.

The pool has now closed because of neglect by that same administration which had previously praised it. Not only has the administration been charged with failing to provide proper facilities and ensure quality work, residents also said that it had failed to even maintain the pool.

The pool had closed on August 14, with the end of its maintenance contract period. Residents now fear that its reopening will be a distant dream. Contractors, who had operated the pool amid much difficulties, have been hesitant to entertain fresh tenders by the administration after the end of the contract period.

History

The pool, built to international standards, cost Rs 1.8 crore to make. Inaugurated by Union Minister Veerappa Moily on May 14, 2011, the pool was embraced not only swimming enthusiasts and district competitors, but also large numbers
of children and youngsters initially.

But the problems began after the district administration relinquished maintenance responisbility to a private company on contract for a period of 11 months.

The move was widely criticised by citizens. “If the district administration hands over the entire maintenance work to a private company, it would be shirking its responsibility,” pool patrons had said.

Complaints too, began to materialise from contractors in-charge of maintaining the pool. A frequent complaint was that the pool showed signs of substandard work and did not have an adequate water supply. On many occassions, contractors even complained of having to fill the pool with tanker water.

Contractor problems

Maintenance Manager, Purushottham, had explained the problems faced by contractors to Deccan Herald.

“The pool needs at least 16 lakh gallons of water. One lakh litres of water is needed for balancing the tank. Refilling the pool requires 20,000 litres of freshwater. Though 1,200 litres of water is delivered to the  pool from four tankers, it was insufficient. It is not possible to continue any service without water,” he said.

 Appacchu Ranjan, the Minister of Youth Services and Sports, who visited the pool recently, had also criticised the substandard work.

He had pointed out that the tiles had fallen off and that the pool water had changed colour, suggesting poor maintenance. He had also instructed the proper authorities to take measures to repair the pool.

“But the condition did not change at all and forced us to keep away,” swimmers said.