Pimpri Chinchwad: A tragic incident occurred at the Khivansara Swimming Pool in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, April 20th, when 23-year-old Shahbaz Shahid Khan drowned while swimming. The incident took place around 4:00 pm, when Shahbaz reportedly began having trouble breathing. He was quickly pulled from the pool and rushed to the municipal hospital in Thergaon, but doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Eyewitnesses suggested that the quick response from lifeguards might have saved Shahbaz’s life. This incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols in municipal swimming pools, particularly as many children enroll for swimming lessons during the busy summer season. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) outsources the management of its swimming pools to private contractors, many of whom have been criticized for negligence. Allegedly, these contractors overbook classes, with fees ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per month, without ensuring enough safety measures are in place.
While there were four lifeguards on duty at the time of the accident, officials confirmed that Shahbaz was pulled from the water and CPR was administered immediately. Despite these efforts, he had vomited and was rushed to the hospital, but tragically, he could not be saved. The incident has sparked questions about the accountability of the private contractors managing the swimming pools, the adequacy of their staff, and the lack of oversight from municipal authorities. Critics continue to stress the importance of proper infrastructure and well-trained lifeguards to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
