A recent order from the home ministry has allowed public swimming pools to open but not all pools in our neighbourhood will do so in a hurry.

Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation runs two pools in Salt Lake — an Olympic-sized one opposite Mayukh Bhavan and another in CJ Block.

To cope with the pandemic, the pool opposite Mayukh Bhavan, that is part of the Bidhannagar Municipal Sports Complex, has been turned into a Covid-19 testing centre. “We cannot allow swimmers here as swab samples are being collected,” said an official of the corporation. “We have not received any directive from the state health department to stop or move the testing centre elsewhere.”

The official said that more than a dozen tests were being conducted at the premise every day. “We are also doing rapid tests and in case someone tests positive, we are sending them to the hospital from here,” he said.

As for the CJ Block pool, no decision has been taken on its future. “The Duare Sarkar government outreach programmes have been going on there,” said another official. “We haven’t thought about reopening the pool, although a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the matter.”

Then again, there’s the question of public response. “Even if we open the pools now, and distil the water, people might not turn up due to the cold and the fear of contracting Covid-19,” said a member of the board of administrators.

On Wednesday, The Telegraph Salt Lake saw the water in the pool opposite Mayukh Bhavan to have turned green from algae formation at its base.

The official said that by this time in other years, they start distributing seasonal membership forms but that this year there had been no enquiries.

The swimming season usually lasts till the end of September but if they start late this time, the official said they may extend the season into October.

Bidhannagar Swimming Association in BF Block is opening its office in the mornings since February 2 but has no plans to distribute forms yet. “Our season starts in April so we are in no rush,” said an official.

At New Town Business Club, the swimming pool is one of its most popular facilities and the authorities there have started planning out the session this year. “Usually we start the session in mid-March but we want to play safe this time and may open it in April,” said a club official.

Last year, they had filled up the pool and but didn’t start the session as the Covid scare was looming. “Then when the lockdown happened, we drained out the water and undertook the task of returning the membership fees to about 300 people who had paid for it,” he said.

Repair and maintenance have not been neglected through the pandemic and so it should not take time to get the infrastructure ready. “Since it’s winter no one is asking about the pool but once it starts getting hot I’m sure enquiries will start pouring in. We have to be ready for it,” said the official.

saltlake@abpmail.com