Trivandrum: The swimming pool at Water Works grounds, near Vellayambalam, was scheduled to host the aquatic-swimming events for the 35th National Games, which now have been postponed for atleast one year. The 50 meter long swimming pool, that used to be the only one available for the public’s use was drained, dug up and tampered with, to make for a bigger, broader swimming pool. While digging a  pit adjacent to it, the authorities discovered pipes carrying drinking water right beneath the ground. Work on the swimming pool remains frozen ever since.

Yentha's file photo

“We have decided to take out the Water Works Swimming Pool from the list of venues for the National Games,” says Chief Engineer, Ajith A Mohammed.

The story of the ill-fated swimming pool is short and quite straight forward, going by the history of the public works carried out in the state.

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The responsibility to see through the rebuilding of Water Works Swimming Pool was given to the National Games Secretariat in 2009. The project was undertaken as a joint venture by Consulting Engineering Services and Sasi Prabhu Associates, Pune.

“And they have failed miserably in their task.” Chief Engineer Ajith states, “Their performance was so lacklustre that they have been removed from charge and a new department made up jointly by BSNL Civil Wing and KITCO (Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation) has been put in place.”