NGT pulls up cricket stadiums for using groundwater

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up various cricket stadiums across the country for still using groundwater to irrigate their grounds, instead of treated wastewater, as per a recent order. 

It also imposed a fine of ₹5,000 each on Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi and 11 other stadiums for not submitting the required details about their water usage to the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), as ordered by the court. 

“It appears that IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali/Punjab Cricket Association is not inclined to comply with the orders of the Tribunal and without utilising the STP treated water it intends to continue using the groundwater which has a serious adverse impact on the environment,” the NGT said in an order dated January 22, 2026. 

The order noted that the situation was “somewhat similar” in some other cricket associations as well. 

CGWA report

The order quoted a report by the CGWA, which showed that Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata also relies entirely on groundwater. But the stadium was in the process of setting up rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plants, as per the order. 

“The chart reflects that Jamtha, Nagpur/Vidarbha Cricket Association, Eden Gardens, Kolkata/The Cricket Association of Bengal, Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium, Lahli, Karyavattom Sports Facilities Limited, Kerala and ACA Stadium, Baraspara, Guwahati are using the groundwater,” the order said.

These cricket associations have been directed to submit their explanations within six weeks. 

On the issue of non-submission of the required details by 12 cricket associations, the court said it has “delayed” the decision in this matter. “Hence, cost of ₹5,000/- each is imposed upon the above 12 cricket associations who have not submitted a copy of the reply to the CGWA… Subject to deposit of this cost, these 12 cricket associations are granted six weeks’ time to furnish a copy of the reply to the CGWA,” the order said. 

Application filed in 2021

The Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising of Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel gave the order on an ‘original application’ filed in 2021 about cricket grounds using groundwater for maintenance of fields and not using treated water from STPs or installing rainwater harvesting systems, depriving people of potable water for drinking. 

In April 2021, the NGT had disposed of the matter, directing the Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) to hold a joint meeting within one month with the authorities concerned to regulate the extraction of groundwater for the maintenance of cricket grounds. 

In 2023, the applicant filed an ‘execution application’ in the same case, citing that the April 2021 directions of the NGT was not followed and cricket stadiums were using groundwater, without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC), and they have also not explored the possibility of using treated water from STPs. 

Later in 2023, the MoJS told the NGT that out of 26 stadiums inspected in different parts of the country, 24 had borewells or tubewells for extracting groundwater, and only four of them had the required NOC.