Swimming is first casualty in pool fight between DDA and contractors

A Dispute between the Delhi Development Authority and a cartel of contractors responsible for the upkeep of 13 swimming pools in its sports complexes has resulted in the facility becoming out of bounds for Delhiites.

A Dispute between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and a cartel of contractors responsible for the upkeep of 13 swimming pools in its sports complexes has resulted in the facility becoming out of bounds for Delhiites. But with the mercury rising and the impasse showing no signs of letting up,the DDA has decided to take the matter in its own hands and open the pools to the public in 10 days.

DDA invited tenders for running the pools in January as has been the norm,but things didn’t go according to plan. A dozen authorised contractors,who had quoted amounts ranging from Rs 1-2 lakh over the years,apparently came to an understanding among themselves and bid just Re 1. Fresh tenders were issued in February and March but the contractors stuck to their guns and the bids amounts didnt change.

This resulted in the DDA failing to keep to the April 1 deadline,the date when the pools are usually opened every summer. Losing its patience,the DDA has issued fresh orders stating that the Authority will now run the swimming pools. We are going to open all DDA swimming pools in another weeks time. The contractors refused to cooperate and,hence,we had to pass another order which states that the pools will be taken care of by the DDA. From lifeguards to cleaners,the DDA will be taking care of everything, confirmed Alok Swaroop,Sports Director at the DDA.

Swaroop laid the blame for the delay squarely on the contractors. We could have thrown open the pools earlier had the contractors not tried to bid as a cartel, Swaroop added. Neemo Dhar,the chief PRO of DDA,said the pools will be opened as soon as people are recruited. The pools havent opened yet because we are looking for qualified and experienced people for different posts. As soon as that happens,the public can start using the pools.

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