Sambalpur: The much awaited children’s pool at Dr Jhasketan Sahu Swimming Complex in the city has developed cracks before its inauguration, putting questions over its safety and longevity.
While the executing agency is busy repairing the cracks, the swimmers expressed deep concern over the low quality work. There are also allegations that the pool has so many technical faults that may pose threat to the beginners.
As per the standard rule for a kids’ pool, the depth at the starting point should be three feet and at the ending point it should be three and half feet.
But this standing rule has not been adhered to in this case. The pool has four feet depth at the starting point and four and half feet depth at the ending point. That apart, the standard length and width parameters for a children’s pool have also been done away with. While the present length of the pool is 25 metres, its width is 12.5 metres.
Experts alleged the faulty construction would not serve the cause, and at the same time the possibility of fatal accidents cannot be ruled out.
“Cracks in a new project are not acceptable at all. This indicates the construction involved substandard work,” observed Salegram Khuntia, secretary, district swimming association.
He said the apprehension of leakage will always be there despite application of remedial measures. For the benefit of kids, the pool should be handed over to another management before it is thrown open, Khuntia added.
Dr Jhasketan Sahu Swimming Complex came into existence in 1976-77 covering an area of one acre and 339 decimals. It is regarded as the birth place of swimming, for it is the first swimming complex in the state and has produced state and national level gold medalists.
These are the reasons why the locals demanded a beginners’ swimming pool. The Western Orissa Development Council has funded the project at a cost of Rs 1.9 crore and the project is being executed by the Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).
While the construction commenced April 26, 2017, it is scheduled to end January 1, 2018. But the appearance of cracks has marred the excitement of swimmers. “The work has not been completed yet. The tiles having cracks are being repaired. The pool will be put to use only after getting approval of the experts,” said Pradeep Kumar Padhi, president, Orissa Masters’ Swimmers Club.
Collector Samarth Verma admitted that he was aware of the cracks and that he has already directed IDCO officials to file a report on that. “However, I would personally visit the pool and the next course of action would be finalised thereafter,” he informed. PNN
