Civic-run pool in Dadar should be better maintained

The crocodile after it was rescued. Pic/Ashish Raje

It was a tumultuous Tuesday morning for members of Dadar's civic-run Mahatma Gandhi pool after a small crocodile was found in its complex, in the pool.

The discovery was made by staff prior to the pool opening for the day and the hatchling was brought out through a pool net. The episode has naturally sent shockwaves and there is significant trepidation amongst the members of this prominent complex, even now.

While investigations will show how exactly this crocodile entered the pool and from where, fingers are pointing at a zoo next to the pool. Yet with the zoo administration denying that the croc came from their premises, there has to be a quick and thorough investigation.

This complex also has seen some incidents in previous months where a snake or two has been spotted in the complex and pool.

This has to be addressed very seriously by the BMC, since it is a public pool. There has to be good CCTV surveillance and enough light through the complex. Ensure hygienic conditions so cleanliness should be priority. Non-slippery tiles should be placed near the pool. Lockers must be operational. Shower doors and equipment must be working. Just because this is a public pool, there cannot be substandard work or maintenance. Members pay a substantial annual fee which is increased every year. This should surely ensure that the complex is clean.

While finding a crocodile and reptiles is certainly out of the ordinary, wildlife experts can be brought in to see how this problem can be tackled or prevented. Even if there are some ideas in a meeting or two after this incident, they can be of value to the administration who has definitely not dealt with such a problem earlier. This is the way ahead for a very prominent pool and a landmark on the ‘cultural
spine' of Mumbai.