Six stadiums get NGT notice on groundwater use, alleges failure in rainwater harvesting

The National Green Tribunal has reportedly issued notices to the six cricket stadiums' concerned authorities over why they failed to disclose the source of water used to maintain the pitch and grounds. 

As per the issued notice, while hearing a plea challenging the use of groundwater or fresh water for maintaining cricket grounds instead of sewage treatment plant (STP)-treated water, they also alleged the failure to install rainwater harvesting systems for groundwater conservation, recharge and restoration.

Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium (Raipur), Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur), Dr DY Patil Stadium (Mumbai), Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium (Lucknow) and Barabati Stadium (Cuttack) are the stadiums which received the NCT’s notice.

Among the six stadiums, four venues – Delhi, Raipur, Jaipur and Lucknow are hosting IPL venues.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) reportedly said it had submitted the compliance report in March last year and was unaware of the developments that happened on April 16. "DDCA had received a notice from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in the year 2024 regarding the use of groundwater at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.” 

“We carried out all the compliances as required under the guidance of CGWA,” DDCA added.