NGT bars sports activities at three cricket stadiums over environmental non-compliance
Jaipur, July 10
The National Green Tribunal has imposed an interim ban on sports activities at three major cricket stadiums across the country, including Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium, for failing to comply with environmental directions related to groundwater use and water conservation.
The interim order was passed by the Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad, while hearing an execution application in O.A. No. 94/2021 and the connected O.A. No. 348/2024.
The Tribunal observed that despite repeated notices issued by both the NGT and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), the three stadiums failed to furnish the required information regarding groundwater extraction and compliance with environmental norms.
The stadiums are Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur; Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur; and Dr D. Y. Patil Stadium, Mumbai. As an interim measure, the NGT has restrained these stadiums from conducting any sports activities without obtaining prior permission from the Tribunal until the next hearing.
The case concerns the implementation of environmental safeguards, including the use of treated sewage treatment plant (STP) water instead of groundwater for maintaining cricket grounds, installation of rainwater harvesting systems, and adherence to groundwater conservation norms.
The Tribunal noted that, given the increasing water scarcity in several parts of the country, all stadiums were expected to comply with environmental regulations.
However, the three stadiums failed to respond despite multiple notices from both the NGT and the CGWA.
The NGT has also directed the Central Ground Water Authority to prepare a fresh tabulated compliance report based on the responses received from the concerned stadiums. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on August 17, 2026.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, is a specialised judicial body that hears cases relating to environmental protection, forest conservation, pollution and natural resources, with the mandate to ensure the effective and expeditious disposal of environmental disputes.
— IANS
Reader Comments
A much-needed wake-up call for all stadiums across India. Rainwater harvesting and using treated STP water should be mandatory. But I also feel for the fans and local players who'll miss out on matches. NGT should have given them a deadline rather than an outright ban mid-season. 🤷♀️
Interesting move by the NGT. As someone who follows both Indian and international cricket, I've seen how much water these stadiums consume. It's good to see environmental compliance being enforced. Hope the stadiums comply quickly so the sport can continue responsibly.
Arre, these stadiums earn crores of rupees in revenue, and they can't spend a few lakhs on setting up STP plants and rainwater harvesting? Shameful. The CGWA had to issue multiple notices, and still they ignored. Now they'll learn the hard way. Good decision by NGT! 💧
While I support environmental conservation, this ban feels a bit too harsh. Why punish the fans and players for the negligence of stadium management? The NGT should have imposed heavy fines first and given a deadline. But yes, the stadiums have no excuse for ignoring multiple notices.
This is great. I've traveled across India and seen how serious groundwater depletion is, especially in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Cricket is our religion, but water is life. The stadium authorities need to step up. Let's hope this sets a precedent for other sports venues too.
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