National Green Tribunal Takes Stern Action Against Cricket Stadiums for Groundwater Violations
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed serious concern over the persistent extraction of groundwater by major cricket stadiums across India, despite the ready availability of treated sewage water. In a significant move, the environmental court has imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 each on 12 prominent cricket stadiums, including the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, for their failure to comply with previous directives and submit mandatory reports to the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
Widespread Non-Compliance with Water Conservation Directives
The tribunal had earlier instructed several cricket stadiums and their managing associations to disclose detailed information about their groundwater usage for pitch irrigation and outline concrete plans for transitioning to treated water sources. However, based on a consolidated report submitted by the CGWA, the NGT discovered that numerous high-profile cricket venues continue to extract substantial quantities of groundwater for maintaining their playing surfaces and surrounding green areas.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, in an order dated January 22, specifically highlighted the case of IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, operated by the Punjab Cricket Association. The tribunal noted with dismay that this stadium was consuming approximately 6,000 kilolitres of groundwater per month, despite having access to secondary and tertiary treated water from nearby sewage treatment plants.
Rejection of Excuses and Environmental Concerns
The NGT firmly rejected pleas from stadium authorities claiming treated water was unavailable, observing that such conduct reflects a clear reluctance to comply with established environmental norms. The tribunal emphasized that this persistent groundwater extraction poses a serious threat to groundwater sustainability, particularly in water-stressed regions of the country.
Beyond the Mohali stadium, the tribunal identified several other venues continuing groundwater usage, including stadiums in Nagpur, Kolkata (Eden Gardens), Lahli (Haryana), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), and Guwahati. These associations have been granted a six-week window to submit detailed explanations and disclose specific steps taken to eliminate or substantially reduce their groundwater dependency.
Financial Penalties and Compliance Deadlines
The Rs 5,000 penalty has been imposed on 12 cricket associations managing stadiums in Delhi, Pune, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Indore, Dharamsala, Rajkot, Raipur, Cuttack, and Mumbai. These fines were levied specifically for their failure to submit compliance reports despite receiving repeated directions from the tribunal.
The penalty amounts must be deposited with the secretary of the NGT Bar Association within two weeks, marking a clear financial consequence for environmental non-compliance.
Enhanced Reporting Requirements for All Stadiums
For stadiums that have already submitted preliminary details regarding their groundwater usage, treated water utilization, and rainwater harvesting systems status, the tribunal has demanded more comprehensive information. This includes specific steps being implemented to completely avoid groundwater extraction for cricket ground irrigation, reflecting the NGT's commitment to thorough environmental accountability.
The tribunal's actions underscore the growing judicial emphasis on sustainable water management practices, even for high-profile sports infrastructure. This case establishes an important precedent for environmental compliance in the sports sector, particularly regarding water conservation in a country facing increasing groundwater depletion challenges.
