Tawde laments use of lakhs of litres of water for IPL matches

Also read: 22.5 lakh litres water down the IPL drain

IPL organisers should take an appropriate decision on holding the tournament in Maharashtra given the drought in the state, Leader of Opposition in state Legislative Council Vinod Tawde said today.

"As per my knowledge, 60,000 litres of water would be used to maintain a cricket ground every day. Thus, during the entire season of IPL matches spread over 36 days (from April 9-May 15 in Maharashtra), 21.6 lakh litre water will be used for a single ground," Tawde said in a letter to IPL Commissioner Rajeev Shukla.

While acknowledging that the IPL matches would help the state government earn some revenue, he asked whether it would be appropriate to waste so much water on organising IPL matches when several parts of Maharashtra were facing drought.

There will be in all 16 IPL matches scheduled to be held at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai and Sahara stadium in Pune over the next few weeks.

"Taking into consideration the plight of the drought-affected people, I hope that you will take an appropriate decision on holding the IPL tournament(in the state)," the BJP leader said.

Read our full #mahadrought coverage: http://www.dnaindia.com/coverage/maha-drought