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Lonavla cops step up to avert untoward events in holiday season
Due to previous drowning incidents in private swimming pools, police have asked property owners to fence the pools in their bungalows so that children cannot easily enter them
PUNE: On the backdrop of Christmas and new year’s celebrations, Lonavla rural police met with private bungalow owners on Monday and issued a set of guidelines to prevent untoward incidents.
Due to previous drowning incidents in private swimming pools, police have asked property owners to fence the pools in their bungalows so that children cannot easily enter them. In order to save lives during drowning incidents, cops also directed that the landlord provide a lifeguard and security guard at the swimming facility. As per the rule, prior permission should be obtained before renting out a private bungalow with a swimming pool.
The police also warned private bungalow owners to obtain all necessary permissions from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). Those found renting out their property without proper permission will be prosecuted.
Satya Sai Karthik, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP, Lonavla Division), commented on the situation, saying, “We met with the landlords and gave them a set of instructions in the light of previous drowning incidents. Swimming pools, in particular, should be fenced so that children do not have easy access to them.”
Karthik stated that he will draft a letter to the municipal council and MTDC officials requesting that appropriate action be taken against private bungalow owners who have illegal water pools in their bungalows.
According to police, over 100 private bungalow owners and caretakers attended the meeting. As per a recent survey conducted by the Lonavla Municipal Council, nearly half of the 997 swimming facilities in various private bungalows are unauthorised and built without the necessary permissions from the municipal council.
Cops stated at the meeting that private bungalow owners should keep detailed records of visitors and maintain an entry book. Owners or caretakers must inform visitors of all rules and regulations, and visitors must acknowledge them. The police also ordered that all CCTV cameras be kept operational.
The local municipal council suspects that due to the high rent for private bungalows with swimming pools, many owners built illegal swimming pools without regard for safety standards.
