S'pur residents protest swimming pool's depth

The renovation of a swimming pool in the heart of the town has been cause of a fresh controversy here. As per information, the renovation of the Dr Jhasaketan Sahu swimming pool is in progress in Sambalpur. But from the day one, controversy as regards depth of the swimming pool has started. The public and sport loving people want the depth to be two metre to meet the international standard. But the authorities want to maintain it at 1.35 metre.

Progressive Sambalpur, a forum that has raised its voice from the very beginning of the renovation work, has made it clear that the intention of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department is to deprive Sambalpur of national and international events by maintaining a low depth.

But Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary, who visited Sambalpur on Saturday, said that another developed swimming pool with all facilities and confirming international standard would be constructed in sports complex at Burla near MCl headquarters. 

Hence, the swimming pool at Sambalpur could be used for learning purpose since knowing swimming is also equally essential.  In a review meeting at the collectorate, Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Saswat Mishra said that a swimming pool of national standard with latest amenities would be constructed in the proposed sports complex near MCl. Hence, the department has decided to maintain the old swimming pool in Sambalpur town at 1.35 meters depth. Such types of swimming pools are under construction in Brahmapur, Jajpur Baripada and six other places of the State, he informed.

“Hence, the matter of neglecting Sambalpur or the allegation of regionalism doesn’t arise,” Mishra said.

But Progressive Sambalpur led by Prof Dillip Panda and youth leader Sanjit Mohanty and many other organisations and individuals have strongly urged to renovate the swimming pool keep its depth at two metre depth.