New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been informed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) that the international cricket stadiums in Jaipur and Raipur failed to apply for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater extraction despite repeated reminders. The report highlighted the inaction of district magistrates (DMs) in addressing the matter, urging the tribunal to take appropriate steps.
CGWA Findings on Groundwater Usage
In May 2024, the NGT directed CGWA and State Ground Water Authorities (SGWAs) to expedite pending NOC applications related to cricket stadiums. The instructions came in response to allegations that these venues used groundwater for maintenance purposes without employing alternative methods such as treated sewage water or rainwater harvesting systems.
According to a report submitted by CGWA on November 20, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided a list of 26 cricket stadia, 14 of which fall under the jurisdiction of CGWA, while the remaining are regulated by SGWAs. Among these, three stadiums—Barabati Cricket Stadium in Cuttack, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, and Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur—were identified as not having applied for NOCs.
Barabati Stadium Receives NOC; Jaipur and Raipur Still Non-Compliant
While the Barabati Stadium received its NOC on November 13, both the Jaipur and Raipur stadiums have yet to comply with the requirement. The CGWA report stated that repeated reminders through letters and emails to the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) regarding Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium were ignored. Consequently, CGWA’s western regional office requested the Jaipur District Magistrate to take action, including sealing the stadium’s borewells, but no steps were taken.
A similar situation was reported for Raipur’s stadium, where the director of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare also failed to apply for an NOC. The CGWA subsequently directed district officials to seal the borewells, citing non-compliance.
CGWA Seeks Tribunal Intervention
The CGWA report emphasized the lack of response from the cricket associations and district authorities, stating, “Despite several reminders through letters and emails, neither the cricket associations/stadiums applied for NOCs, nor did the district magistrates take necessary action.”
The authority has called for strict measures to ensure compliance, including sealing borewells and penalizing erring entities.
This development underscores the need for adherence to groundwater regulations and highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in high-profile venues such as cricket stadiums.
