The prolonged closure of the Kalidas Swimming Pool at Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Mulund West has sparked public frustration, with local residents demanding urgent restoration of access to the facility. Despite earlier assurances of a reopening, the civic body now estimates that the pool will remain shut for another two years as part of an extensive renovation plan.
Originally opened in 1985, the pool had seen minimal structural maintenance over the decades. According to civic officials, years of delayed repairs had caused critical systems, including the filtration plant, to operate intermittently, posing safety and hygiene concerns. This prompted a full-scale refurbishment plan undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Krida and Lalit Kala Pratishthan (BKLKP), a civic trust overseeing the facility. However, the slow pace of the renovation, estimated at over ₹7 crore, has not sat well with citizens or civil society groups. Several community leaders staged demonstrations outside the closed facility, questioning the necessity of a two-year timeframe for upgrades. Residents say the delay has significantly disrupted the routines of swimmers—especially competitive athletes and schoolchildren—forcing many to seek far-off alternatives in Chembur and Thane.
Commuting long distances for training has added financial and logistical burdens on families. Locals allege that the pool was periodically opened and shut under unclear timelines, yet full annual fees were collected. Many have called for greater transparency and accountability in the tender process and project execution. Officials maintain that the closure is unavoidable given the scale of the overhaul. The existing infrastructure reportedly requires comprehensive repairs to bring the pool up to modern safety and quality standards. Authorities have proposed interim access for registered members to a civic pool in Vikhroli, but residents argue that this too is a suboptimal solution given travel constraints.
The standstill reflects a broader pattern of delayed public sports infrastructure projects in Mumbai, raising questions about urban priorities and inclusive access to recreational spaces. While refurbishment is necessary, local stakeholders insist on expedited work and regular communication to ensure public assets like this pool truly serve the communities they were built for.
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