PUNE: The Aquatics Centre at the sprawling Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi is a beehive of activities for most part of the year. But these days, it sports a deserted look. The reason is the lack of water to keep the facility alive during the summer months.
The 5 lakh litres of water required daily by the aquatics facility is hard to find in April, May and June. “The Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation supplies water for the complex, but they are unable to during summer,” said Manik Thosare, deputy director at the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Maharashtra.
“We’ve been forced to shut down the complex for the time being due to shortage of water. The corporation’s priority will be to distribute water to the public. There’s no one to be blamed,” said Sanjay Walkhe, in-charge of the swimming pool at the Complex.
Apart from the 5 lakh litres required for the aquatics complex — consisting of two Olympic-size swimming pools and one for diving — another 7 lakh are needed for the football ground and the hockey astroturf present, other than for housekeeping, hostel and staff-quarter needs. DSK Shivajians, the I-League club from the city played their home matches at the football stadium.
“It happens from time to time. When summer comes, trainees at the swimming complex are given a break and sent back,” said another official. “We’ve around 800 young trainees and senior members who use the pool on a daily basis. But these days, things are different,” said Dinkar Sawant, one of the swimming coaches at the facility.
“There’s nothing else we can do. Aquatics complex is the most affected, but even the hostel is reeling due to the lack of water supply,” said Sawant, who is employed by the state government and trains around 45 children from 9-15.
The sports city’s case is not an isolated one. Many pools across Maharashtra have been forced to shut shop, especially with the drought prevalent in the Marathwada region. “The problem is very real. There isn’t much we can do about it,” said Nita Talvalikar, secretary of Pune District Swimming Association.
“We’ve advanced all competitions to tackle the water scarcity. District-level events will be held in the first week of May. The state championship is slated for June, before the nationals,” stated Talvalikar, also treasurer of the Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association.
Sawant felt a water filtration plant will go some way in solving the problem. “It’s a long-standing demand, but we aren’t sure when it’s going to happen.” Asked about plans of starting such a plant, the deputy director said it was still under the government’s consideration.
Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex
Balewadi, Pune
Owner: Government of India
Opened: 1995
Facilities: Athletics Stadium and Football Ground, Aquatics Centre, Hockey Stadium, Badminton Hall, Boxing Arena, Shooting Range, Table Tennis Hall, Weightlifting Hall, Wrestling Hall, Tennis Courts, Cycling Velodrome, Hostels, Fitness Centre, Sports Science Centre
Tenants: FC Pune City (2014 - present), DSK Shivajians FC (2015 - present), Puneri Paltan (2014 - present), Pune FC (2010-15), Kalyani Bharat FC (2014-15), Air India (2011-13), Mumbai FC (2011-13)
Competitions held: 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, 1994 National Games, 2009 Men’s Junior Volleyball World Championship, 2009 FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship for Women, 2011 World Series Boxing, 2013 Asian Athletics Championship, Pro Kabbadi League, I-League, Indian Super League