Thursday, Apr 25, 2024 | Last Update : 03:41 PM IST
Bombay HC restrains MCA from drawing water from Pavana
As per the state government's water policy, the supply of water for drinking and agricultural purposes has the highest priority.
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday restrained the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) from drawing water from the Pavana River for the maintenance of its cricket stadium in Pune. The association will henceforth have to make alternative arrangements for the maintenance of the stadium, which is the home ground of the Chennai Super Kings this Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The state government signed an agreement with the Maharashtra Cricket Association in 2012, allowed them to draw water from the Pavana River under the industrial purpose category.
The court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the non-government organisation Loksatta Movement, noted that the maintenance of pitches for the Indian Premier League did not classify as industrial use, it was classified as recreational use, which had the lowest priority as per the water distribution policy.
In its order, the court said, “The state government’s decision violates the terms of equitable distribution of water in the state. The state is a trustee of the water available in the river.”
It found the state government’s decision to grant the Maharashtra Cricket Association permission to draw water to be “illegal” and contradictory to its own water policy.
Meanwhile, the court accepted an affidavit filed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stating that no additional water would be supplied to Wankhede Stadium for the IPL tournament.
The court also accepted a statement from the Maharashtra Cricket Association, which manages Wankhede Stadium, that it would not seek any additional water supply from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the maintenance of its grounds during the
IPL matches.
Maharashtra’s water policy
As per the state government's water policy, the supply of water for drinking and agricultural purposes has the highest priority. The supply of water for recreational purposes has the second to last priority, and the supply of water for events such as the Kumbh Mela Shahi Snan has the lowest priority. The IPL tournament is classified as a recreational activity.
