Renovated swimming pool in Hubballi awaits opening

By: Akshay Doddamani
HUBBALLI: The swimming pool in Hubballi, which has been upgraded, is still not open to the public. Although the work was completed last year, in July 2022, there is a delay and negligence in handing it over to HDMC.
There were many allegations of poor workmanship in the construction of the pool. HDMC has formed a third-party committee, including technical experts, to check the upkeep of the pool and provide a report within 15 days. However, Smart City Limited successfully utilised the pool during the National Youth Festival (NYF) by conducting scuba drives.
Now the public is worried about the pool being closed as NYF has concluded.
As summer approaches, children, including youth, will have fewer chances to swim. To cool off, youths and children go to small lakes in the city as well as outside. But many accidents have occurred when children try swimming in lakes that are not suitable for swimming and some have lost their lives. Many college and school children would come to the pool during the holidays, but now it has been stopped. Therefore, we urge the city's swimming pool to be opened as soon as possible before the summer season begins, city resident Kuber Pawar told TOI.
HDSCL executive engineer, Basavaraj D said the redevelopment of the swimming pool was started in 2019 and completed in July 2022.
The work was done in two phases costing approximately Rs 6 crore. In phase 1, the pool was equipped with tile work, electricity, concrete work around the pool and a shower. Additional work was done in the second phase including screening to cover the pool and flooring was installed.
The pool was opened during the National Youth Festival for scuba diving. A joint inspection will be completed and the pool will be handed over to HDMC.
HDMC commissioner Gopal Krishna said the renovation work had been completed. Due to poor work allegations, a third-party inspection will be carried out. Soon after inspection, it will be handed over to HDMC and will be opened to the public, he added.