DC Directs Swift Completion of Long-Delayed Pool
Deputy Commissioner Dr Anand Kumar Sharma has instructed authorities to finalise all remaining procedures to operationalise the indoor eight-lane Olympic-standard swimming pool at Shaheed Udham Singh Government College, Matak Majri, in Indri block at the earliest. The pool, which has missed multiple deadlines due to construction delays, cost overruns, and administrative bottlenecks, is now nearing completion under renewed administrative focus.
Safety Standards and Community Benefits
During a review of the project, Dr Sharma emphasised that the facility must adhere to all safety regulations before being opened to the public. He specifically directed officials to ensure robust safety measures for children and maintain strict compliance with safety norms. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that the modern sports facility would provide local children and aspiring swimmers the opportunity to train close to home, eliminating the need for long-distance travel. He added that the pool has the potential to nurture sporting talent and promote swimming as a competitive sport in the district.
“I have reviewed the progress of the swimming pool and the officials have been instructed to complete the remaining formalities. This pool will be functional at the earliest,” said Dr Sharma.
Project History and Repeated Setbacks
The project was originally announced by the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on June 4, 2015, as a five-lane indoor swimming pool with an estimated cost of Rs 3.05 crore. Construction began in October 2015 with a target completion date of October 2017. However, following demands from local residents, the government upgraded the project to an eight-lane Olympic-standard facility capable of hosting higher-level competitions in April 2017. The revised plan increased the estimated cost to approximately Rs 5.6 crore, with a new completion deadline of April 2019.
Despite the expansion, construction faced repeated setbacks. Technical flaws identified during a vigilance inquiry necessitated the dismantling and rebuilding of parts of the structure. The Covid-19 pandemic halted work for nearly two and a half years, and budget constraints further delayed progress. Although the pool was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on December 23, 2024, it remained non-functional due to the absence of an electricity connection and essential equipment required for the filtration system. Officials attributed the delay to a lack of coordination between the Panchayati Raj Department and the Sports Department over responsibility for obtaining the power connection.
Recent Interventions and Handover Process
After assuming charge as Karnal Deputy Commissioner, Dr Sharma took serious note of the prolonged delay and directed the concerned departments to expedite the remaining work. Following his intervention, the Panchayati Raj Department has initiated final finishing work and the process of handing over the facility to the Sports Department. District Sports Officer (DSO) Satyavir Singh confirmed that the handover process has been initiated. “After the project is handed over to the Sports Department, we will initiate the process to obtain the power connection and float a tender to appoint an agency to operate the pool,” he added.
