IPL water woes continue in Rajasthan

The problems for the IPL, the Mumbai Indians in particular, seems to be on a never-ending spree. The prevalent water scarcity and drought situations in Maharashtra, and the subsequent ruling out of all matches after April 30 out of Maharastra by Bombay High Court had forced the Mumbai Indians to shift their home base to an alternate venue. Mumbai Indians opted for Jaipur as their alternate venue.

Now a similar PIL has been filed by freelance journalist Mahesh Pareek challenging the three Mumbai Indians matches scheduled to be held at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The petition was filed in the Rajasthan High Court citing drought concerns in the state.

“The matches were shifted from Maharashtra because of drought. Well, there is a drought in Rajasthan too. The Bombay HC intervened on a similar plea, moving the matches out. We hope the Rajasthan HC also decides in our favour,” Prateek Kasliwal, the petitioner’s lawyer told The Indian Express.

The lawyer further added “Cricket, which comes under leisure or entertainment, is at the bottom end of priorities as far as the public use of water is concerned.”

According to the PIL filed, a total of 80 Lakh liters of water will be needed to maintain the ground during the IPL. The petition also highlights the fact that 19 out of 33 districts including Jaipur are facing severe drought conditions in Rajasthan.

“A huge quantity (nearly 80 lakh litres) of water is proposed and ready to be willingly wasted by the respondent No. 1 to 4 (state government and its various water-related departments), for the purpose of maintaining the cricket pitches on the venue i.e. Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur which has been nominated for Indian Premier League 2016, replacing the State of Maharashtra in light of the order of Hon’ble Bombay High Court dated 14.04.2016,” the petition says.

Well, the logistical issues are certainly causing nightmares for the IPL this season and the problems seem to be ceaseless. The Rajasthan High Court will conduct its hearing on the PIL on April 21 (Thursday).

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