5 ‘illegal’ water parks shut in Agra after drowning deaths

Agra: The district administration in Agra ordered closure of five water parks for allegedly operating without mandatory permissions and safety measures, officials said on Monday. The action comes after two children died in separate drowning incidents at such facilities in the past two months.District magistrate Manish Bansal directed that operations at the five parks remain suspended until further orders after a report submitted by the entertainment tax wing of the state tax department revealed that the five parks were allegedly operating without the DM’s permission. The inquiry also found serious lapses in safety arrangements, raising concerns over the safety of visitors, particularly children.Officials said water parks are required to obtain clearances from multiple departments, including police, fire, public works, electricity and tax authorities, besides permission from the DM, before opening to the public. “Operators must obtain all required NOCs from the departments. CCTV cameras, women security guards and trained divers are mandatory,” Bansal said, adding that inspections of such facilities are ongoing.

Water parks ordered shut are Kaka Chaudhary Water Park in Fatehpur Sikri, KG Water Park in Etmadpur, Rimjhim Water Park in Barauli Ahir, Rainbow Water Park (operated by Maa Bhagwati Enterprises) in Midhakur and Prakash Water Park on Jalesar Road.The district-wide crackdown follows the death of a 10-year-old boy who drowned in a swimming pool at Blue Whale Water Park in Khandoli on July 1. The park operator was arrested in the case. Earlier, on May 18, an eight-year-old boy drowned at Tevatiya Water Park on Bichpuri-Achhnera Road. FIRs were registered in both the cases.