You have to be 8 if you want to swim in civic body’s pools in Chennai

CHENNAI: Your child will have to wait till he turns eight if he wishes to take swimming lessons at pools run by the Greater Chennai Corporation. In the wake of the drowning of seven-year-old Teja Gupta in a GCC swimming pool last week, GCC has come up with a set of eight new rules — including age restriction, written consent from parents, restricting number of children during training, presence of a coach and lifeguards during these sessions, medical certificate from a doctor to prove they don’t have any health issues — to ensure that such accidents don’t recur.
With summer holidays on the cards, many swimming coaching camps are expected to crop up across the city – including those run by GCC and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Parents and experts point out that GCC and SDAT should monitor swimming pools run by them and ensure safety measures such as lifeguards, lighting, clear water and CCTV cameras are available. Sharanya Ari, deputy commissioner, education, GCC, said the new rules will be circulated to officials of three pools under the civic body.
“The contractors for these pools have been given clear instructions. GCC zonal officers will monitor and ensure that the rules including - checking of PH level, chlorination, tiles, bathroom fitting, lighting, safety markers, adequate trainers and lifeguards, CCTV cameras facing pool etc – are followed,” she explained. Immediately after last week’s drowning incident, the three pools operated by the civic body were shut for maintenance and review. “The Marina swimming pool has been opened and strict instructions have been given regarding safety. The pool in Shanmuganar Park in Thiruvottiyur is under maintenance.
My Lady’s Park pool will be opened after new lifeguards are appointed and all the records are presented. We will be changing the contractor too,” said a senior GCC official. The SDAT also maintains four pools in the city and summer swimming camps will be announced next week. “We won’t compromise on safety. We have adequate lifeguards with uniform, and we engage only qualified and highly experienced coaches,” said Me ghanatha Reddy, member secretary, SDAT. Meanwhile a swimming coach said that there should be at least eight lifeguards on two shifts at a 50x25 meter swimming pool.
“In some pools the numbers are not adequate. Besides, the guards should be provided skill training at regular intervals,” he said. Apart from pools, many youngsters will also start throning the beaches during summer and many will take a dip in the sea. Residents want lifeguards posted on the beach to save lives. A senior police official said they are part of a committee that checks whether all safety guidelines were followed while constructing new swimming pools. Police will register cases when there is any unnatural death and negligence.