The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to six major cricket stadiums across India, asking them to explain why activities at their venues should not be suspended for failing to disclose the source of water used to maintain pitches and outfields.
The tribunal had earlier directed stadium authorities to submit details regarding their water usage to the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), which is currently compiling the information received so far.
The issue arises from a petition questioning the use of groundwater or fresh water for stadium maintenance instead of treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs). The plea also flagged the absence of rainwater harvesting systems for groundwater recharge and conservation.
In its April 16 order, a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with expert members A. Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, observed that seven stadiums had initially failed to respond despite repeated directions.
While counsel for the Hyderabad-based venue sought three weeks’ time to comply, the remaining six stadiums neither appeared before the tribunal nor submitted any response.
The venues issued notices include:
- Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium
- Dr DY Patil Stadium
- Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium
- Barabati Stadium
Notably, four of these venues are hosting or scheduled to host matches during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season.
“Hence, notices are issued to the six stadiums to explain why all activities should not be stopped on grounds of non-compliance with the tribunal’s order and failure to submit the required information,” the bench stated.
The tribunal has also directed the CGWA to formally communicate its order to the concerned stadiums. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 2.
