Hooligans leave SMC in the deep end

SURAT, June 23: The Surat Municipal Corporation, having re-opened the Dadabhai Pandia swimming pool at Makkai Pool in Nanpura after a gap of...

SURAT, June 23: The Surat Municipal Corporation, having re-opened the Dadabhai Pandia swimming pool at Makkai Pool in Nanpura after a gap of more than six years, may be forced to close down the pool once again for the same reason it was forced to down its shutters earlier. Rowdy youths of the area have been swimming there free-of-cost and also threatening anybody who attempts to stop them.

And since the pool opened, there has been an unexpected high attendance with youths wanting to make the 8220;best use8221; of the pool.

However, among them are hooligans from the neighbouring Maachhiwaad, who pay just Re 1 as fees and pick up fights with the pool incharge, the gatekeepers or for that matter anyone, who objects to their practise.

The pool was closed down in 1992 after hooligans from the neighbouring slums used the pool as their backyard and threatened anyone who attempted to stop them.

Talking to Express Newsline, Hasmukhbhai Rana, incharge of the pool, while expressing helplessness said, 8220;Only the police can put a stop to this practice. Even the corporation cannot do anything in this case. We are here to ensure that no one drowns and will do just that.8221; He said that he had attempted a number of times to stop the nuisance but was threatened by the youth of dire consequences.

And true to his words, more than 100 youth jumped in the pool in front of this reporter, when the pool can accommodate no more than 50. While most were in their undergarments, there were a few who were in without a stitch of clothing. According to civic rules governing the pool, all swimmers have to compulsorily wear bright coloured swimming suits so that the swimming instructor and life guard stationed there can see the person clearly in the water.

Another norm, which calls for a bath after and before swimming is also thrown to winds. Needless to say, most have not deposited a health certificate, which is to be given by a medical practitioner to make sure that the person is not suffering from any skin or other disease.

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8220;The pool will be closed down and soon,8221; says Lavji Parmar, the watchman at the gate. The youth even resort to physical assault if questioned, he says, claiming that thought SMC officials were aware of the fact, they did not want to rub the Maachhi youths the wrong way.

Navinbhai Vaghela, councillor from Katargam-Ashwini Kumar, who is also the chairman of the Public Works Department of the corporation under which the swimming pools fall, says thought the matter has been brought to the notice of the municipal commissioner many times, the situation would improve only if the police manned the spot and enforced rules strictly.

However, for now it seems these hooligans will have their way and the corporation, apart from losing revenue regularly, will not be in a position to provide swimming facilities to others.