Maharashtra drought: No stay on first match of IPL 2016 to be held at Wankhede stadium, says Bombay HC

Bombay HC on Thursday ruled that the first match of the 9th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) wil be played at Wankhede stadium, Mumbai  between Rising Pune Super Giants and Mumbai Indians as per scheduled. A division bench of justice VM Kande and justice MS Karnik gave the decision. It also asked the state government to  to make a statement by coming Tuesday on whether water supplied to stadiums is potable or non potable.

It has also directed the state to investigate where BCCI gets rest of the water from if govt supplies them just 22k litre potable water. Earlier hearing a PIL about hosting of IPL matches in Maharashtra which is facing an unforeseen drought crisis, the court asked MCA lawyer,  " Give priority to the game and let people die, people are dying and you want to maintain pitches?". MCA lawyer in turn asked, " Why has the petition been filed 4 days before the first match when schedule was declared long ago?"

Judge Kande observed that their is huge amount of disparity. Some people are getting water as they want and in Thane people are getting it once in three days. 

Petitioner's lawyer said, " Many places in Mumbai not getting water, so it is not right to hold IPL in Mumbai or other parts of Maharashtra. They (IPL) are just mentioning the amount of water they are using but not disclosing the source of water This water is the same water BMC supplies but we don't know whether they are taking this water legally or illegally."

In response,  MCA lawyer in his argument said, " Don't want water just for IPL, every international pitch is to maintained at all times. Water used by us is not drinkable water. ...The water we use is just for watering the ground and sanitation purpose. Around 50 thousand litres of water is used for maintaining the pitches but when we have matches we don't use water for pitches. So during IPL we need less water as on match days we can't use water as we have to keep pitches dry"

"Are cricket matches more important than people," this is the question the Bombay High Court posed on Wednesday to the state government, Mumbai Cricket Association and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

A division bench of justice VM Kande and justice MS Karnik also suggested that in the present condition when the state is facing a drought-like situation, the Indian Premier League tournament, which begins from April 9, be moved out to another state where there is sufficient water.

The observation was made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by an NGO, Loksatta Movement, seeking directions to the government to move IPL outside Maharashtra. It claimed that around 40 to 60 lakh litres of water will be used to maintain pitches. This instead could be diverted to people facing severe shortage of water in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

During the hearing, at one point when the MCA argued that it only provided stadiums and the BCCI was the final authority on holding the tournament, the court said, "Only if water supply to BCCI is cut, you will understand."

The court also told the state that ultimately it is the government's responsibility and duty to do something about this (water wastage) and impose some kind of restraint. It also asked the state government to spell out on Thursday what steps it plans to take on the issue.

When asked by the court how much water is being used by MCA at Wankhede stadium to maintain the pitches, the counsel replied around 40 lakh litres of water for the seven IPL matches to be held there. To this the court said, it is a huge number.

However, the counsel added that they are purchasing water to maintain the pitches and not using the corporation supply. This water is non-potable and cannot be used for drinking purposes. He also said that the association will come out with some contingency plan to tackle the water crisis.