Public swimming pools yet to see light of the day, thanks to JMC’s lethargic attitude
   Date :15-May-2022

Public swimming pools 
 
 
 
By Ashish Rajput
Residents have been disappointed due to lethargic working of Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) as the only public swimming pool in the city is yet to be started this year. The swimming pool could not be started following delay in tender process which finally deprived the residents from enjoying swimming.
Jabalpur Smart City Limited has developed two mini sports complexes in Shakti Nagar and Shanti Nagar. These mini sports complexes have swimming pools, gymnasiums, volleyball courts, basketball courts and other facilities but Jabalpur Smart City Limited has failed in opening these sports complexes and residents are failed to access swimming pools during peak summer season.
It may be mentioned that only public swimming pool in the city situated at Bhanwartal Garden being operated by Jabalpur Municipal Corporation on contract basis. Concerned municipal officers failed in timely preparations and opening of swimming pool has been delayed this summer. The two pools including one is for trainees and another for mature swimmers are laying abandoned due to absence of maintenance. Senior officers of JMC expressed their helplessness in starting the pool due to delay of tender process. They informed that JMC timely invited the tenders but contract could not be awarded due to technical reasons. Tenders for operation of swimming pool have been re-invited for early starting of swimming pool.
Bhanwartal swimming pool is the only public swimming pool in the city and a large number of children and people from every age group enjoy swimming every year during summer season. The pool is operated on contract basis for maintenance, training and security arrangements. Contractor charges fixed amount of training, membership and life time membership from residents. A large number of life time members who had paid one-time amount for using the swimming pool are feeling cheated due to the long delay in opening of swimming pool.
There are other swimming pools of power companies, hotels and schools in the city but these are not accessible to public. On the other hand, a large number of residents enjoyed swimming at different places at the banks of river Narmada like Gwarighat, Tilwaraghat, Lamhetaghat and Jilaharighat but swimming into the river is vulnerable for learners and youngsters.