Swimming pools face closure for violating norms

NOIDA: The district administration has warned that enrolling for a swimming session to beat the summer heat could be dangerous if the pool does not follow requisite standards of safety and hygiene. While Noida has issued an ultimatum to 11 pools, Greater Noida officials are getting ready to seal about 20 pools operating without adhering to norms and without required licences.
With the onset of summer, swimming pools across Noida and Greater Noida have reopened. "However, pool licensees are required to get their authorizations renewed before operating in a new season," said Noida city magistrate, Sanjay Chauhan.
"There are detailed instructions and conditions for grant and renewal of swimming pool registrations, which include structural and safety norms. The annual renewal is significant because most pools outsource the safety, maintenance and upkeep of the pool to outside agencies," he added.
"Due to hurry for reopening the pools, such arrangements are often functional only on paper," said Pushpraj Singh, city magistrate, Greater Noida.
Currently, of the 95 pools in Noida and Greater Noida, about 18 applications are awaiting authorization, while 20 pools in Greater Noida are operating without registration. "Many of these pools include schools, clubs and group housing societies," said Chauhan.
Taking a tough stance, officials warned that pools that have not been adhering to norms will be sealed. In Noida, Chauhan has decided to seal 11 pools which have yet to apply for their no objection certificates by May 31. In Greater Noida, starting May 30, a district technical committee will conduct a drive undertaking inspections of all the swimming pools and seal all unauthorized pools. The four-member district technical committee will be headed by the city magistrate besides the district sports officer, district health officer and the secretary of the swimming pool association.
"Unregistered pools can be dangerous if they do not meet prescribed norms necessary for safety of swimmers," Chauhan said. "People should not swim in any unauthorized or unregistered pool and must enquire whether the pool has complied with the safety norms approved by the district technical committee," added Singh.