MCA can now use irrigation water

Mumbai: The state government has allowed the Vidarbha Cricket Association and the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to use water provided for irrigation purposes to maintain the stadiums, a petitioner informed the Bombay high court on Friday.

A division bench comprising of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice R. I. Chagala was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Loksatta Movement. The petition was filed in 2016 and it raised concerns over water usage for ground management during IPL when the state was facing acute drought. In April 2016, the high court had directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to shift all IPL matches to be held in Maharashtra after April 30, outside the state due to the severe drought condition.

On Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) counsel informed the court that it has not decided yet whether additional water will be given to the MCA or not and sought time to file its reply.  The court then directed MCA to clear whether they are applying for additional water from the BMC and filed affidavit.

The BCCI lawyer informed the court that in 2011, the water policy had changed and it is favourable to events like IPL. But petitioner lawyer told the court that water policy keeps changing after some years and it needed to check what is latest policy. The court then directed state government to put forth its latest water policy so accordingly petition can be heard.