In an effort to make the Olokkode pond at Valakom Panchayat near Muvattupuzha a national-level swimming coaching centre, the District Panchayat has mooted a renovation project. According to the District Panchayat authorities, after completing the project, the centre will become the first public sector swimming coaching centre in the district.
As per the proposal, the District Panchayat is planning to execute the proposal in a phased manner. In the first phase, the 1.5-acre pond will be renovated constructing a round wall. An amount of `35 lakh has been allocated the first phase. In its second phase, a well-equipped swimming training centre will be set up for school students in the district.
District Panchayath vice-president Bindu George said the project is a part of our initiatives to conserve the reservoirs in the district.
The aim of the project is to facilitate a state-of-the-art swimming training for school students as well as conserve the pond, she added.
“As part of the project, garden, light system and other entertainment facility will also be set up on the premises of the pond. We have another plan to implement a special project for giving swimming training for school students in the district,” she added.
Bindu George added that the District Panchayat will soon implement a pilot project to conserve reservoirs in the district. As part of the initiative, one public pond in each panchayat will be selected and renovated, she added.
District Panchayath President Eldose Kunnappally officially inaugurated the renovation work here on Monday. Vice-prsident Bindu George presided over the function.