Kolkata's College Square swimming pool goes dry

KOLKATA: Water from Kolkata's famous College Square swimming pool has been drained out following the death of an ace swimmer in September last year amid allegations that she had stuck in a platform built under water by one of the swimming clubs without obtaining permission from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
Though the KMC administration had initiated the task of draining out pool water in September following the accident, the civic body was compelled to put a brake when the task was nearing completion.

A formal request from the College Square Puja committee and Kolkata police top brass had made the civic fathers change their mind and release more water into the pool for illumination around it during the festive days.

Now, when the water has been drained out, three unauthorised platforms are clearly visible inside the swimming pool.

A section of the KMC parks department officials after inspecting the swimming pool area have suggested to demolish these platforms to prevent further accidents.

However, the civic top brass is in no hurry.

“The demolition will take some time. After demolition we need to fill the pool as summer swimming session is drawing near. Amid such a situation we may have to postpone the demolition till the next session,” a KMC senior official said.

The KMC parks department will issue a guideline for the three swimming clubs running at College Square before the swimming season begins in April.

According to the guidelines, these clubs will need to employ at least two trainers at each pool. The clubs will be asked to create a barricade near the illegally constructed platforms. The clubs will be asked to give an undertaking that they won’t undertake any sort of constructions under water.

“We will deploy our staff from time to time to oversee the activities when the swimming season begins. Now we are concentrating on preparing the swimming pool and make all necessary safety and security arrangements for the swimmers especially for the beginners. No swimmers will be allowed in the pool without a life jacket. Besides trainers, divers will have to be deployed in the pool for the little swimmers,” a KMC parks department official said.