The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will start a crackdown on swimming pools in the next few days and has also increased watch on washing centres, in a move targetting those using water for commercial purposes. The PMC land estate department that leases out swimming pools owned by the civic body has directed all the agencies running the pools to stop their use until further orders. “Those running swimming pools have been asked to close the operations by displaying a notice outside the pool. The number of citizens using the pools in the monsoon is very low so there is no problem in stopping the operation,” said a civic officer. Meanwhile, the ward offices have been directed to keep a watch on private swimming pools and those in housing societies so that they do not violate the PMC orders, he added. Similarly, washing centres across the city have been directed to stay closed to avoid the use of water for washing vehicles, as a lot of water is used for the purpose. “The civic staff on the field have been given directions that action be initiated against any washing centre found operational,” said superintendent engineer V G Kulkarni. Washing centres running on other water resources such as well or boring should also close down, he said, adding that the PMC orders are to stop the use of all kinds of available water for washing vehicles. “The priority is to keep water for drinking purposes. If need be the PMC will have to use ground water to meet the drinking supply demand and cannot allow it to be used now,” Kulkarni said, adding that citizens have also been asked to use damp cloths instead of water to clean vehicles. A washing centre owner said that closing their centre would mean losing their source of living. “We can manage to close the washing centre for a few days but cannot afford to close it for long as that would create problems for our living,” he said, adding that those who give the assurance that they will not use water supplied by the PMC should be allowed to start the washing centre after a few days.
