Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Residents Left High and Dry as Five Swimming Pools Remain Closed Amid Rising Summer Heat

Pimpri Chinchwad: As the summer heat steadily intensifies, more and more city dwellers gravitate towards the swimming pools for relief. However, out of the 13 swimming pools managed by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) across various neighbourhoods, only eight are currently operational, leaving five closed to the disappointment of the residents.

PCMC has established these swimming pools in strategic locations such as Keshav Nagar, Sambhaji Nagar, Kasarwadi, Pimpri, Yamuna Nagar, Pimple Gurav, Nehru Nagar, Vadmukhwadi, Bhosari, Mohan Nagar, Thergaon, Sangvi, and Akurdi. With March underway, the soaring atmospheric temperatures herald the onset of summer, prompting a surge in demand for swimming facilities.

At PCMC’s swimming pools, a nominal fee of Rs. 20 is levied for an hour’s session, with options for monthly, quarterly, and annual passes priced at Rs. 500, Rs. 1200, and Rs. 4500 respectively. These facilities witness a considerable influx of visitors during the summer months. However, inadequate planning on the part of PCMC has resulted in the closure of five pools despite the commencement of the summer season.

Efforts are underway to refurbish the swimming pools in Thergaon, Mohan Nagar, Yamuna Nagar, Nigdi, and Bhosari. In the interim, residents and athletes in these areas are compelled to seek swimming opportunities at private pools, incurring higher costs. Additionally, online booking services have been introduced for PCMC’s swimming pools, with plans to launch online monthly passes by the Sports Department.

Among the operational swimming pools are those in Nehru Nagar, Pimple Gurav, Pimpri Waghere, Kasarwadi, Wadmukhwadi, Keshav Nagar, Sangvi, and Sambhaji Nagar. Conversely, five pools remain closed, including the ones in Thergaon, Mohan Nagar, Pradhikaran, Bhosari and Yamuna Nagar.

Two swimming pools are currently closed for construction, with one slated to reopen in eight days. Deputy Commissioner of the Sports Department, Mininath Dandavate, has announced plans to issue tenders to renovate these two pools.