Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding use of treated water for IPL matches in Bengaluru, Karnataka, 02/05/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News Item titled "Bengaluru stadium to get treated water supply for IPL matches amid crisis" appearing in India Today dated 21.03.2024.
In the Original Application, registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item, the issue involved relates to the supply of treated water to M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 matches amid the water crisis in the city of Bengaluru. The Tribunal by order dated April 1, 2024 had impleaded the concerned respondents and had granted them time to file the reply.
Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board in its report disclosed the status of use of water by the stadium through different sources. The M Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium has been inspected by the Chief Engineer (WWM) and Executive Engineer (WWM-STP) Challaghatta Valley on April 17, 2024 along with the officer bearers of the stadium. Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board has been provided Cauvery Water Connection and the stadium is drawing monthly average of 2212 KL of fresh water for residential rooms, kitchen, party halls and restaurants having guest around 500 members per day. The stadium has also been using 4 ground water borewells and it is also noted that these borewells do not have any water flow meters for calculating the usage of water. As per the inspection the stadium has their own 200 KLD (kilo litter per Day) Sewage Treatment Plant and the same is inspected and found to be working. BWSSB is supplying sewage at the rate of Rs 6 per kilo from the year 2017 and the said treated water is used for gardening and for other non-portable purposes. At present the sewage generation has been decreased as there is no sewage flow.
"The stadium has not been able to obtain the required quantum of municipal sewage from BWSSB to fully utilize the 200KLD," the report said. The treated water is used for gardening.
The total usage water consumption by the stadium is the following:
- Fresh water-80000 litres per day
- Treated water 64000 litres per day
- Purchased/RWH water 50000 litres per day.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association sought time to file reply disclosing the full details of different sources from where the water is obtained by cricket association. The cricket association will disclose the details of permission which have been granted in respect of the four borewells and since when the ground water is being extracted from those borewells and when those borewells were dug including the quantity extracted therefrom.
The NGT directed that the report by the Karnataka Cricket Association should also disclose the full particulars of the STP which has been set up and the details of its operation/performance. The court directed that the reply be filed within four weeks and listed the matter for August 13, 2024.