Ajit Annikeni, died after a suspected heart attack in the civic-run General Arun Kumar Vaidya Swimming Pool in Chembur on Wednesday. Members of the facility said Annikeni had to be rushed to the hospital in a rickshaw
Ajit Annikeni, the deceased. Pics/By Special Arrangement
A 58-year-old man, Ajit Annikeni, died after a suspected heart attack in the civic-run General Arun Kumar Vaidya Swimming Pool in Chembur on Wednesday. Members of the facility said Annikeni had to be rushed to the hospital in a rickshaw as no ambulance or doctor was present when the incident took place.
I have known Annikeni for a very long time. We would always exchange pleasantries whenever we met at the pool. What happened today [May 21] is shocking. He was seen suddenly sinking in the water,” Himmat Gori, a member of the General Arun Kumar Vaidya Swimming Pool, told mid-day.
“Noticing something amiss, one of the lifeguards pulled Annikeni out of the water and tried to administer CPR. No doctor was available. The civic babus were so negligent that they had not even stationed an ambulance in case of an emergency like this,” Gori added.
Accidental deaths, drownings and spinal as well as brain injuries are common at civic-run swimming pools. Representation Pic/iStock
“We had no other option than to rush him to a nearby private hospital, which is hardly half a kilometre away from this pool. But the doctors declared him dead. Had there been a doctor available at the pool, Annikeni would have survived,” Gori said.
Another member, Naresh Mehta, said, “The incident took place between 8.30 am and 8.45 am. The BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation] has been increasing the fee by 10 per cent every year, but it has failed to provide a doctor and ambulance, which is essential for saving lives. We have been demanding this for a long time, but our requests fall on deaf ears.”
“I faced a similar situation in August 2024 when I had to be rushed via an autorickshaw to the same hospital where Annikeni died. That time, too, there was no doctor at the pool. I know how difficult it is to rush a patient in an auto rickshaw in case of an emergency. Had there been an ambulance and doctor at the swimming pool, Annikeni would have survived. It is the total failure of civic officials who need to be punished for their negligent behaviour,” said Mehta, adding, “Errant officials will not fall in line until you punish them. Why is there no doctor? Why is there no ambulance at this swimming pool? Who is playing with people’s lives? Why should erring officials not be booked for endangering lives?”
mid-day tried to contact the son of the deceased, but he was in no state to reply to queries. Accidental deaths, drownings and spinal as well as brain injuries are common at the civic-run swimming pools in the city. mid-day has learnt that vocal members of other swimming pools run by the municipal corporation are trying to approach Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting him to improve amenities. mid-day tried to approach the manager of the swimming pool, Neha Joshi, but calls and messages sent to her went unanswered till the time of going to press.
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