 Shiv Thakur
Jammu, July 23: Even as about Rs 2 cr have been spent on the renovation of the swimming pool at M A Stadium here, the signboard there still awaits the government sanction for its painting.
Under the circumstances prevailing there, its inauguration by Raman Bhalla, minister of youth services and sports, seems to be just an eyewash. Surprisingly, its renovation does not include the painting of the signboard.
Half renovated pool has been thrown open to public use after its inauguration just to impress people of Jammu. Even the pool water is also not up to the mark.
The contaminated water in the pool is visible to all which may spread many skin diseases. It was likely to take at least ten days to get totally filtered. Even after the statements of the minister and the sports authorities to make the pool fully functional in September only, the council opened it to public today.
The contractor, hired for the renovation of the pool, when contacted by Early Times, said "the pool water gets filtered in at least ten days, depending upon the conditions including weather conditions as well as the quality of water filled in the pool.
"We only have the contract to filter the water for a period of four years and the work of pool renovation has been creating hurdles for us," he added.
Sources claimed that a new team of contractors has arrived with instructions for another round of renovation work at the swimming pool. Sources also said that they had been allotted the job of flooring around the pool and completion of the left out works, including the showers and changing rooms and it will take at least a month to complete the assigned job.
Sources said the sports council too has decided not to open the pool in near future but Sports Officer of the State Sports Council, Rajan Sharma, while talking to media on Saturday looked confident to open it from today.
Smitha Sharma, parent of a child, criticized the Sports Council and Sports Minister, for inaugurating the pool saying, "The sports council has taken a wrong decision to open the pool as the concrete as well as cement lying near the pool area were a threat to the health of our children. Ignoring all this, the sports authorities have asked the swimmers to submit their medical fitness reports", she added.
She said even after the expenditure of Rs 2 cr on its renovation, the pool was actually not renovated.
Sports officer Rajan Sharma said, "We have started the registration process and those who will submit their forms along with medical certificates can do practice." |
