National Green Tribunal: A Division bench comprising of Prakash Shrivastava, J., Chairperson and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, took suo motu cognizance based on a news item published in ‘India Today’ on 21-03-2024. The news item reported the supply of treated water to M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for IPL 2024 matches amid the water crisis and directed the Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to submit the report disclosing the quantity and source of water being used in the stadium, along with the quality of treated water supplied.
The NGT noted that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) allowed the supply of treated water to the Stadium from the Cubbon Park Wastewater Treatment Plant at the request of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and approximately 75,000 liters of water per day is required at the Stadium during matches. The NGT noted that Bengaluru is facing a water shortage of 500 million liters per day against the actual requirement of 2,600 MLD. 6,900 out of 14,000 borewells in the city have dried up, and the use of drinking water for certain purposes has been banned. The NGT noted that the issue raised in the news item pertains to compliance with environmental norms.
The NGT stated that the power of the NGT to take up matters suo motu has been recognized by the Supreme Court in Municipal Corpn., Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha, 2021 SCC Online SC 897, and implead the following as respondents in the present matter:
“(1) Karnataka State Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(2) Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board through its Chairman.
(3) Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Bengaluru.
(4) Karnataka State Cricket Association through its Secretary.”
The NGT noted that respondents 1 to 3 seek three weeks to file their responses. The NGT issued notice to respondent 4 (Karnataka State Cricket Association) for filing a response. The NGT stated that an execution application regarding the use of groundwater and treated water in stadiums is pending before the Principal Bench of the Tribunal and is listed on 02-05-2024.
While noting that the concerned stadium is also utilizing groundwater, for which no records are presently available, the NGT directed the respondent 2 (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) to file a detailed report disclosing the quantity and source of water being used in the stadium, along with the quality of treated water supplied. The report is to be filed at least one week before the next date of the hearing, i.e., 02-05-2024.
[In Re: News Item titled “Bengaluru stadium to get treated water supply for IPL matches amid crisis” appearing in India Today dated 21.03.2024, 2024 SCC OnLine NGT 234, order dated 01-04-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Mr. Shrinivas B.S., Counsel for the Respondent No. 2
Mr. Mukesh Kumar, Counsel for the KSPCB (Through VC)
Mr. Darpan K.M. & Mr. Durgha Prakash, Counsel for the State of Karnataka (Through VC)
