The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has decided to clean the public swimming pool at Rabindra Sarobar after many swimmers complained that water hyacinth had covered large portions of it.

In June 2025, 16-year-old Shivam Kumar Singh drowned after his legs got entangled in water hyacinth. Rescuers found his body 45 minutes later.

Senior officials of the KMDA — the agency responsible for maintaining the public swimming pool — said they would “soon clean” the water hyacinth and “ensure the water remains clean”.

“We have been receiving complaints about water hyacinth covering parts of the public swimming pool. The cleaning will be taken up shortly,” a senior KMDA official said.

“A team is already at work,” he added.

A section of regular users said the pool, once popular because of its easy entry rules, had become unfit for use.

“The KMDA has been callous in maintaining the swimming pool even after multiple reminders. With the onset of summer, the number of regular users increases, and we do not want another tragedy,” said a Lake Gardens resident who did not want to be named.

“The water hyacinth is spread across the pool, and unless it is cleaned up immediately, it will soon completely cover the water.”

The KMDA has
fixed the pool timings since last year’s tragedy.

The pool remains operational between 6am and 10am in the summer
(March through October) and between 7am and 11am from November to February

The public swimming pool was created by the erstwhile Kolkata Improvement Trust (now merged with the KMDA) to serve swimmers not affiliated with
private clubs at Rabindra Sarobar.

The facility utilises an unfenced portion of the same water body that private swimming clubs have designated for their exclusive use.

While KMDA officials claimed they clear moss and water hyacinth throughout the year, several users alleged that maintenance
has been woefully inadequate.

“The cleanliness of the lake’s water and that of the public swimming pool is our top priority. The lake is spread over 78 acres, and we have already engaged an agency to clean the water,” a senior KMDA official said.

“A recent report from the state pollution control board suggests that the level of dissolved oxygen in the water is good, so we do not need to initiate any immediate steps to treat the water quality,” he added.