The late Meenatai Thackeray sports club and swimming pool, situated in sector 21 in Yamunanagar, is closed to the public for the past seven years.

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The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) officials are planning to re-start the pool before next monsoon.

The pool, spread over 1.17 hectares in Yamunanagar, was established under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) model. The project ran into problems due to various reasons.

PCMC sources said although the developer built the pool, he could not operate it properly. The developer intended to start a dance bar alongside the pool, which was strongly opposed by local residents.

The pool was also creating health hazards to nearby residents as rainwater used to collect in the tank during monsoon, and it became a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Since there are no swimming pools for the residents of Yamunanagar, Shahunagar, Sabhjinagar, Krishnanagar, Rupinagar and Talwade, they are demanding to restart the pool.

The corporator from Yamunanagar, Sulbha Ubale, has also urged the PCMC to open the pool.

Speaking to DNA, the PCMC assistant commissioner of sports department, Sahibrao Gaikwad said, “Although all swimming pools managed by the civic body are managed by the sports department, this pool in Yamunanagar is yet to be handed over to us. The engineering department is carrying out various civil works that are needed to operate the pool.”

The engineering department coordinator, Dilip Kudale, said the standing committee has recently approved Rs37 lakh for the pool and it will be open to the public before next monsoon.