The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has expressed concerns over the sustained use of groundwater by major cricket stadiums across India, despite the option of treated sewage water, in a case related to water conservation and environmental protection.
The Tribunal, on the basis of a report submitted by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), observed that several stadiums continue to draw large quantities of groundwater for the irrigation of pitches and surrounding green areas. The IS Bindra Stadium PCA Stadium, Mohali, was panned for using 6,000 kilolitres of groundwater per month, despite the availability of secondary and tertiary treated water from nearby Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), as submitted by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
The NGT has criticised this conduct, stating that it reflects a reluctance to comply with environmental norms and poses a serious threat to groundwater sustainability.
Other stadiums under scrutiny for continued groundwater use include those in Jamtha (Nagpur), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium (Lahli, Haryana), Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati. The tribunal has given these stadiums six weeks to provide explanations and disclose steps taken to eliminate or reduce groundwater usage.
In addition, the NGT imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on 12 cricket associations, including Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) (Dharamsala), Arun Jaitely Stadium (Delhi), MCA Cricket Stadium (Gahunje, Pune), Jaipur, Hyderabad, Green Park Stadium (Kanpur), Lucknow, Indore, Rajkot, Raipur, Cuttack, and Mumbai, for failing to submit timely compliance reports, despite repeated directions.
The fines are to be deposited with the Secretary, NGT Bar Association, within two weeks. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
NGT raps PCA Stadium in Mohali for flouting groundwater order
