IPL 2018: NGT issues legal notice to BCCI over water misuse in IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most celebrated sporting events in India. However, in the last couple of seasons, the tournament has come under the scanner for the issues that are often seen as administration blunders. There have been pleas and petitions filed against the IPL over the misuse of water resources at the IPL venues for getting the grounds ready for the matches.

Over the last couple of years, this has seen the IPL matches been shifted out of Maharashtra since the plea cited that the state was hit by drought at the same time. And now, even IPL 2018 seems to be hit by a similar notice. Even before the tournament has commenced, an Alwar-based youth Haidar Ali has sought action against all concerned for wasting enormous amounts of water to prepare the pitches for holding the tournament.

“Direct the authorities to stop holding the cash-rich tournament for commercial purpose which would be played at nine venues commencing April 7,” the plea said.

“The 11th edition of IPL will be played at nine venues across 51 days and lakhs of litres of water is to be used for preparing pitches and in the stadium for playing 60 matches which would adversely affect the ground water level, ecosystem and the ecology of the country,” the petition remarked.

Owing to the plea, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked for the responses from the Centre, the BCCI, and the Indian Premier League governing body about the same. As per the reports in the Times of India, a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Ministry of Water Resources, the BCCI, and the 9 states where the matches are scheduled to be played.

All the above parties are expected to file in their responses back to the tribunal within two weeks from the date of the notice issuance. The next hearing on the case will take place on April 28.

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.