IPL Matches At Bengaluru Stadium Under NGT Scanner Amid Water Crisis

The National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium getting 75,000 litres of treated water per Indian Premier League (IPL) match amid the massive water shortage

Bengaluru is facing a severe water shortage.

Source : PTI

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently took suo motu cognisance of Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium getting 75,000 litres of treated water per Indian Premier League (IPL) match amid the massive water shortage in the city and the drought hit state of Karnataka. The NGT directed the Secretary of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSCA) to file a detailed report disclosing complete details of the quantity and source of water being used in the Stadium and also the quality of treated water supplied.

Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel registered the suo motu case based on a news report that said that three IPL matches scheduled in Bengaluru stadium will get approximately 75,000 litres of water per day during the matches.

According to the news report, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has permitted supply of treated water to the Stadium from the Cubbon Park Wastewater Treatment Plant following a request by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

Bengaluru is facing a severe water shortage. According to media reports the city gets 500 million litres of water per day (MLD) against the actual requirement of 2,600 MLD. Reportedly, 6,900 borewells have dried up in the city. There are a total 14,000 borewells in Bengaluru.

Notably, the KWSSB has banned the use of drinking water for car washing, gardening, construction and maintenance work in Bengaluru.

NGT took cognisance and issued notice to the KSPCB, the BWSSB, the KSCA Secretary and the Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Bengaluru.

The NGT in its order has noted that BWSSB, KSPCB and the Deputy Commissioner did not have the details of groundwater being used in the Stadium and subsequently asked them to furnish details.

This comes just a few days after the Karnataka government moved the Supreme Court over drought relief from Centre. According to the Karnataka government, it has waited for over five months for release of the NDRF grant before filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Centre.

The Karnataka government declared drought in 223 sub-districts out of the total 236 sub-districts in the state. According to the state government it has sent three memoranda to Centre, but is yet to receive any money.

According to the petition by the Karnataka government, Out of 223 affected sub-districts, 196 sub-districts have been severely affected and 27 have been moderately affected.

It has further submitted in the top court that the state received only 33 rainy days out of 122 days in last monsoon season (second-lowest in last 33 years.)

The state government has asked for Rs 18,171.44 crore from NDRF. Out of the total sought amount, they have sought Rs 4663.12 crore for crop loss input subsidy, Rs 12577.9 crore for gratuitous relief to families whose livelihood has been seriously affected due to drought, and Rs 566.78 crore for drinking water purpose, etc.

According to the petition, the state government has used the entire allocation under SDRF for the fiscal year 2023- 24 that is Rs. 929.50 crore.