With summer holidays at their peak, 10 PMC-run swimming pools and 38 sports complexes shut for various reasons

Pune: The summer holidays are in full swing but 10 PMC-run swimming pools and 38 sports complexes are not open for residents due to various reasons.The Pune Municipal Corporation operates 35 swimming pools across the city, while there are 108 sports complexes in 15 civic wards. Sources from PMC said that the facilities are not running because of repair and maintenance works and non-renewal of the contracts with operators.For instance, two swimming pools located in the Aundh and Pashan area are shut for repairs, while a similar facility Yerawada has not been functioning for the last few months. PMC recently shut a swimming pool in the Rasta Peth-Somwar Peth area on a temporary basis over "technical reasons".This closure of these facilities has led to displeasure among swimming enthusiasts, with unhappy residents of different areas saying that the civic administration should ensure such places function during summer holidays.Akash Shinde, who often visits PMC-run swimming pools, said that the civic body should have finished the repair and maintenance before the summer. "My friends and I often visit a swimming pool in the Somwar Peth area during summer, but the facility has been shut abruptly since the last few days. PMC should sort out technical issues on priority," Shinde said.Explaining the reasons behind closures, a PMC official chose anonymity and said that some swimming pools are shut for a long time for major repairs. "We are in the process of completing the repairs, but it will take time. The contractors have been asked to expedite the works. Some swimming pools are shut because of non-renewal of contracts," the official said.Leader of the house in PMC Ganesh Bidkar recently had asked the administration to conduct a detailed audit of PMC-run swimming pools after complaints of overcharging were received from citizens. Bidkar had said that considering the increased rush at these pools during holidays, all the facilities should run properly with adequate safety and security measures. However, this has not translated on the ground.Corporator Gaurav Ghule, who had sought information from the administration about the status of PMC-run sports complexes, said, "The civic administration should explain why there have been delays in renewal of various such contracts. PMC must ensure that all these facilities operate at full capacity during holidays."