Kathmandu, June 23:

The number of people opting for a cool splash in the swimming pool at the Balaju Baisdhara Uddhyan (a garden having 22 stone spouts) has been increasing, thanks to a soaring temperature.

The surge in the number of visitors at the swimming pool and the garden has brought in increased revenues for the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

“To our surprise, 1,275 people visited the swimming pool on May 19. We had never seen such a crowd before. Earlier, the pool used to witness a maximum of 1,000 swimmers in a day,” according to Sarbagya Raj Poudel, the chief of the garden.

He said the garden collected Rs 6 lakh in the first months of 2064 BS against the collection of Rs 3.65 lakh during the corresponding period last year. This Jestha, Rs 7.13 lakh was collected against the collection of Rs 4.92 lakh in the corresponding period last year. On an average, 500 people visit the swimming pool every day. The staffers of the KMC get free entry at the park.

A maximum number of schoolchildren visit the pool on holidays and during educational strikes. They get discounts. In an effort to beautify the park area, the Asian Paints Pvt Ltd had painted the swimming pool area, park, spouts and the picnic spots. The Metropolitan Police Circle, Balaju, has been providing security to the people visiting the park.

Foreigners also visit the pool at times to avail themselves of comparatively cheaper services and be close to nature. “They love the peaceful environment of the park and the cool breeze coming from the forest nearby,” he said.

The park has also been issuing monthly and seasonal membership.

Among others, people from Patan, Chabahil, Bouddha and Koteswor visit the pool regularly. Situated in a peaceful locale, the pool attracts a large number of busybodies, he said.

The garden popularly known as the Balaju Park can be an ideal destination for denizens of the Kathmandu valley, provided the KMC develops more infrastructure and maintains them, he said.