High Court bans use of Pavana water for IPL 2018 matches in Pune

The Bombay High Court on Friday restrained the Maharashtra Cricket Association from drawing water from the Pavana river to maintain the Pune cricket stadium and held that the state government’s decision permitting the association to do so was “illegal”.

The MCA, since six years, has been drawing water from the Pavana river after signing an agreement with the state government. The water was used to maintain the pitch and ground of the stadium. As per the agreement between the state government and the MCA, the water was to be used for industrial purposes.

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The MCA recently sought renewal of its deal with the state government for use of Pavana water at the stadium.

A division bench of Justices AS Oka and Riyaz Chagla on Friday said that the state government was not entitled to grant permission to the MCA for use of water for industrial purposes.

“We are shocked to note that for a period of six years, the state government has allowed the MCA to draw water from the Pavana river for industrial purposes when admittedly the MCA is not running any industry. The water is being used for the stadium,” the court said in its order.

“The government’s action violates the principles of equitable distribution. The government is a trustee of water available in rivers,” it said.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by an NGO, Loksatta Movement, in 2016 raising concerns over water usage for ground management during the IPL when the state was reeling in drought.

The court, in its order, noted that cricket matches, including the IPL tournament, would fall in the category of recreation and not industrial purpose.

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No impact on matches

The decision may not impact IPL 2018 matches in Pune this season as the Maharashtra Cricket Association claims it is not dependent on Pavana water. It claims it has sufficient water reserves, collected through rain-water harvesting system, and will also be getting sewage treated water, which is not potable, from the Pune municipal corporation, which is more than sufficient to maintain the stadium.

Meanwhile, the court accepted the statement of the Mumbai Cricket Association, which manages the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, that it would not be seeking any additional water supply from the BMC for ground maintenance during the IPL matches this year.

It also accepted the affidavit filed by the BMC stating that there will not be any additional water supply to the Wankhede stadium for the IPL tournament.