September 5, 2025: In a bid to reduce expenditure and enhance public access, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is weighing the option of handing over eight of its 13 swimming pools to private operators under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Officials believe the initiative could save the civic body crores of rupees annually while improving facilities, extending operating hours and ensuring subsidised training for underprivileged children. Crucially, membership fees will remain unchanged.
The pools proposed for inclusion in the PPP model comprise an Olympic-sized facility in Kandivali and seven 15×25-metre pools located in Worli, Vikhroli, Andheri East, Andheri West, Malad West, Dahisar East and Dahisar West. Despite significant spending on upkeep, many pools are underutilised. For instance, the Kandivali pool, with a capacity of 5,500 members, has only 1,790 active users. Likewise, facilities in Worli, Andheri West, Malad West and Vikhroli have more than 1,800 vacant slots each.
Currently, the BMC spends over Rs 70 lakh a year on maintaining each smaller pool, while the Olympic facility requires even greater outlay. “Private operators can improve outreach and fill vacancies, while the corporation saves on staffing, electricity, water and routine maintenance,” a senior official explained.
Plans include extending opening hours to midnight, building on the success of the previous extension from 8 pm to 10 pm. Membership rates will stay at Rs 9,283 per year for smaller pools and Rs 11,710 for the Kandivali facility. Private partners will also be required to provide subsidised lessons for disadvantaged children during off-peak hours.
The civic body has appointed a financial consultant to study feasibility and propose a revenue-sharing arrangement. A report is expected within a month, after which the scheme could be rolled out more widely, possibly paving the way for a DBFOT model in future projects.
Source: The Free Press Journal
