NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to provide details about the various water sources, including four 400-feet deep bore wells, at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy stadium.
During the hearing regarding the supply of treated water for Indian Premier League (IPL) matches amidst the state’s water crisis, the tribunal observed that the stadium’s total water consumption stood at 1,94,000 liters per day, with 80,000 liters being fresh water.
Earlier, the tribunal had taken suo motu cognizance of a media report stating that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), at the request of KSCA, had permitted the supply of treated water to the stadium.
Last month, the BWSSB was directed by the tribunal to submit a detailed report, including the quantity and source of water used in the stadium.
NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, noted the board’s report which highlighted that the stadium’s water sources included four bore wells, each 400 feet deep, without water usage meters.
The report also mentioned approval for the daily supply of 64,000 liters of treated water for non-drinking purposes. Quoting the report, the bench stated that the stadium’s daily water consumption comprised 80,000 liters of fresh water, 50,000 liters of purchased or rainwater harvested (RWH) water, and 64,000 liters of treated water.
Acknowledging KSCA’s request for time to disclose full water source details, the tribunal directed them to provide details regarding permissions granted for the bore wells, including the duration of groundwater extraction and bore well digging, along with extracted water quantities.
Furthermore, KSCA was instructed to share details about the sewage treatment plant (STP) installed in the stadium and its operational details.
The tribunal set a four-week deadline for KSCA to respond to these requirements, scheduling the next hearing for August 13 for further proceedings.