Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to enforce better security measures in all the 216 swimming pools in the city
In wake of the death of 14-year-old Mukul Jamkhedkar, who drowned in the swimming pool in his housing society last week (see box), the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to enforce better security measures in all the 216 swimming pools in the city.
PMC commissioner Machchindra Devnikar told MiD DAY that his priority is to prevent overcrowding in the pools and to ensure that the depth of the shallow end of the pool does not exceed 3.5 feet. "There are 200 private swimming pools and 16 PMC pools in the city and the law will be enforced in all the pools," he added.
In the last three years, eight people have died in Pune's swimming pools. Devnikar said that officials from all ward offices will soon inspect all the swimming pools to ensure that the rules are being followed.
However, the law does not allow PMC to take any legal action against erring swimming pool owners. Sunil Kesri, ward officer of Bibwewadi, said, "We can only check the rules and give final permission when the construction is completed. As running a pool does not require any licence, the question of suspension doesn't arise," he remarked.
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