Long wait ends for residents

Residents of Rewa have finally received some good news after months of waiting. The municipal corporation reopened the Mihir Sen swimming pool for the general public on Saturday, 8 June. The facility, which remains shut for nearly two years for major repairs, is now available for both regular swimmers and occasional visitors.

Locals turned up in small numbers on the first morning, with many expressing relief that the pool is functional again before the summer peaks.

Two payment options for users

The corporation has introduced a flexible fee structure to accommodate different types of users. Those who wish to swim regularly can opt for a monthly membership of ₹2,500. For residents who plan to use the pool only once in a while, an hourly rate of ₹100 has been fixed.

Officials said the idea is to ensure the pool remains accessible without discouraging casual swimmers. “Not everyone can commit to a monthly plan. The hourly option is for college students and working professionals,” a municipal officer explained.

Three sessions, one reserved for women

The pool will operate in three different time slots through the day. The morning session from 6 AM to 10 AM is open for all. In a notable move, the corporation has reserved the evening slot between 5 PM and 6 PM exclusively for women, keeping safety and convenience in mind.

The final session from 6 PM to 8 PM is again open for all. To avoid overcrowding, authorities have capped entry at 30 swimmers per session.

Strict documentation, age rules in place

Registration is mandatory before anyone can enter the pool. Applicants need to produce either an Aadhaar card, voter ID, marksheet, or birth certificate at the time of registration. Children below 18 years must carry written consent from a parent or guardian.

Officials have also clarified that kids under five years will not be allowed inside the pool area at all. “This is purely a safety measure. Young children require separate facilities which we do not have here,” a corporation source said.

For children aged between 5 and 14 years, presence of a parent or guardian is compulsory throughout the swimming session.

Lifeguards deployed, diving pool remains shut

The corporation has deployed trained lifeguards and swimming instructors for every session. Swimmers who do not know how to swim will only be allowed in the shallow section. Additionally, anyone suffering from a contagious disease will be denied entry to prevent health risks for others.

Meanwhile, the diving pool adjacent to the main facility will remain closed until further orders. Officials cited safety concerns and said a decision on reopening it will be taken only after a thorough review of standards.

Private operator yet to be finalised

According to municipal authorities, the process to select a private agency for long-term operation and maintenance of the pool is still underway. But given persistent public demand, the corporation has decided to run the facility on its own for now.

"We did not want to delay the reopening any further. The tender process takes time, but citizens needed access immediately,” a senior official said.

Residents have been asked to follow all posted rules and cooperate with security staff during their visit.