Swimming pools are now money-spinners

Hyderabad: Lack of strict rules and guidelines to monitor private swimming pools has turned this sector into a money minting business. Most of the pools operate in small spaces, while what is specified is a mininimum of one acre
Officials say the government should frame a clear policy, in the absence of which it is difficult for them to monitor private pools. The managements should also ensure that all safety measures are adhered to. The rules should be displayed, but this is not often done by private pools.

Dr Prem Sagar, director for sports at GHMC, said swimming pools have become a spinner. Standard pool sizes should be 50x25 metres or 25x25 metres with a depth of around 7 feet, and must be in a one acre plot. Private pools ignore these standards and set up pools in much smaller areas. There are instances of pools being set up in the cellars of buildings. None of the private swimming pools complies with safety standards and there is no authorised agency to monitor these pools,” Dr Prem Sagar said.

While permissions are needed for the construction of any building, swimming pools can be constructed without any permission. “It is high time thé government framed a policy on pools. Only a strict policy can control them,” added Dr Premsagar. Private pools should have coaches and lifeguards and all mandatory safety equipment, he added.