IPL can’t use potable water for grounds in state, says Fadnavis

The state won’t allow organisers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to use potable water to maintain grounds and pitches in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday, adding his government will not object if the matches are moved out of the state.

The CM’s statement comes days after the Bombay high court, while hearing a public interest litigation, termed as “criminal wastage” the use of water to maintain cricket pitches for IPL when the state is reeling under severe water crisis.

While the HC has allowed Mumbai to host the inaugural match on April 9, it has kept hanging in the balance till April 12 the fate of 19 other ties to be held across droughthit Maharashtra — in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. It also reprimanded the state for wasting water on playgrounds at a time when “people are dying”.

“We have no problem if the organisers decide to move the tournament out of the state. Even if they continue to hold the matches here in Maharashtra, they will not be allowed to use potable water,” he said.

The PIL challenges the use of lakhs of litres of water for grounds, when many parts of the state is facing drought.

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