Three years on, children denied joyful plunge into Sathuvachary swimming pool

Located in the Vallalar area of Sathuvachary, on the Vellore – Chennai National Highway, the pool today appears in a dilapidated condition. 

Former area councillor CK Sivaji when asked why it was not opened for public use said, “I do not know as I was not consulted when they planned and built the swimming pool in my area.” 

VS Vijay who provided the funds said, “No action has been taken to inaugurate the pool, despite my repeated pleas to the authorities concerned.” 

When DT Next contacted Vellore collector SA Raman, he acknowledged the swimming pool could be inaugurated only after a district level committee, which he chairs, gives the green signal. “The problem is that one of the committee members, a top Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) official has not turned up for the meeting till date.” 

Asked whether there was enough water to operate the pool, Raman affirmed it saying, “A pool cannot be operated just like that. Who will be held responsible if something happens? Also, the corporation is yet to employ staff to ensure the pool’s upkeep.”  

Corporation commissioner Vijay Kumar and city engineer T Balasubramanian were both unavailable for comment. And so, the facility, which could have been a top attraction for children during the summer season, languishes with no certainty on its opening date.