The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up various cricket stadiums across the country for still using groundwater to irrigate their grounds, instead of treated wastewater, as per a recent order.
It also imposed a fine of ₹5,000 each on Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi and 11 other stadiums for not submitting the required details about their water usage to the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), as ordered by the court.
Groundwater use: NGT to seek report on action against stadiums
“It appears that IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali/Punjab Cricket Association is not inclined to comply with the orders of the Tribunal and without utilising the STP treated water it intends to continue using the groundwater which has a serious adverse impact on the environment,” the NGT said in an order dated January 22, 2026.
The order noted that the situation was “somewhat similar” in some other cricket associations as well.
