Outsiders take a plunge in the swimming pool on SCB Medical College and Hospital campus. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, April 25: One of the oldest swimming pools in eastern India is lying in neglect on the SCB Medical College and Hospital campus.

Sources said the swimming pool, which was meant for SCB students and doctors, was manually operated till 1992.

It was subsequently closed down, as there were problems in getting spare parts of a high-powered motor pump that was damaged over time.

However, with help from the SCB Medical College Students’ Union, a new motor pump was installed in 1996. But, again in 2002, the swimming pool was closed down because of lack of maintenance.

“The swimming pool has been totally neglected by the authorities. No concrete step has been taken, so far, for its renovation,” said former students’ union president Prakash Panda.

During the All Odisha Inter-Medical Meet, the students’ union had pledged to reopen the swimming pool and funds were collected to clean up the drainage system, which was choked with weeds.

With assistance from the public health department (PHD), a submersible motor pump was installed at the pool.

Panda said that in spite of these initiatives, the overall condition of the swimming pool has not changed as the toilet and other constructions are in a dilapidated condition.

“The swimming pool is not being used by the students as no step has been taken towards its renovation. There have been no attempts to introduce modern-day facilities here,” S. Behera, a postgraduate student.

Behera said lack of maintenance and easy access had combined to make the swimming pool a safe haven for criminal activities. Students of SCB medical college said there was no boundary wall to restrict the entry of outsiders.

Official sources said there had been problems in carrying out treatment of the water in the pool and as a result the swimming pool was now not fit to be used. But every day, youths can be found using the pool, because there is no security guard to restrict such unauthorised entry.

SCB Medical College principal Prakash Mohapatra said dearth of funds had led to the delay in renovation of the pool. “We have already requested PHD officials to take measures for the all-around renovation of the swimming pool. We hope that things will improve soon,” Mohapatra said.