Security guards, lifesavers, cops to keep watch on Lake public pool
Times of India | 8 July 2025
Kolkata: Police, lifesavers and security guards will keep a watch on the public pool at Rabindra Sarobar during the swimming hours, said KMDA officials after finalising the SOP for using the water body. The public swimming pool at the Lake has been shut since June 15, after a 16-year-old boy drowned there. The pool is expected to reopen in the next eight to 10 days once the authorities issue the SOP and complete cleaning the water body. The SOP was finalised on Monday, when KMDA's expert committee on Rabindra Sarobar met to discuss the safety proposals. "The swimming clubs at the Lake have primarily agreed to the proposal to provide two lifesavers to keep a watch on swimmers at the public pool. The club authorities will shortly send the details on the persons to be engaged," said an official. "During the swimming hours, our security guards will be there and along with them will be a cop, equipped with lifesaving tools. The KMDA will issue a manual to instruct how to use the tools.
" KMDA is the custodian of the Lake. An official said about 80% of the cleaning work of the public pool had been completed. "The cleaning of the enclosed portion of the pool will start on Tuesday. The entire clean-up and the formal issuing of the SOP are expected to be completed in another eight to 10 days, after which the public swimming pool will reopen," said an official.
A safe zone will be demarcated at the public pool, beyond which swimmers will be urged not to venture. "Disclaimers will also be put up that only swimmers should enter the pool. Those who will come will be asked whether they know swimming or not. The lifesavers who would be deployed to keep a watch will be able to differentiate between who can swim and those who cannot. We are considering maintaining a register to keep records of visitors to the pool," said the official.
The public pool timings have been fixed at 6 am to 10 am in summers and 7 am to 11 am in winters. One will be allowed to last enter the pool 30 minutes before closing time.