National Green Tribunal: More than a month after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned sporting activities at three cricket stadiums—Mumbai’s Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Chhattisgarh’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium (Raipur), and Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium—the status quo remains under the Tribunal’s direct environmental oversight. The NGT had previously directed the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to submit its response after taking cognizance of a 2021 petition regarding the alleged use of groundwater for maintaining these cricket grounds.
It was alleged that this practice continued without adopting alternatives such as using treated water from Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) or installing rainwater harvesting systems for groundwater storage and recharge. The petition claimed that such practices deprive the public of access to clean drinking water. It specifically highlighted issues related to IPL cricket matches—organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for commercial and entertainment purposes—alleging that the importance of water conservation was disregarded during these events. In its order dated April 15, 2021, the NGT emphasized the need to conserve potable water for drinking purposes.
Subsequently, the Tribunal directed that cricket grounds and similar venues should, wherever possible, be maintained using high-quality treated water from STPs—free from pathogens and contaminants. Additionally, it mandated the collection and storage of rainwater. Notably, groundwater depletion has emerged as a major environmental crisis, necessitating sustainable management for its conservation. While hearing the matter in early July, the Tribunal observed that all three stadiums had failed to respond to notices issued by it and the CGWA; consequently, it banned any sporting activities at these venues without prior permission.
Current Status of the Stadiums
The NGT has maintained the ban on these three cricket stadiums. During a recent hearing, the counsel representing Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium sought one week’s time to file a reply. Similarly, the counsel for Sawai Mansingh Stadium also requested a week to submit their response. Earlier this week, the Principal Bench of the Tribunal—comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad—heard the matter.
The counsel for D.Y. Patil Stadium informed the Tribunal that the reply had already been filed. The CGWA has sought time to examine the response submitted by D.Y. Patil Stadium. The CGWA informed the NGT that once the necessary responses are received from these stadiums, the information would be compiled within two days. The Principal Bench of the Tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for September 28.
