Maharashtra drought: Bombay HC asks BCCI to consider shifting IPL out of Pune, Mumbai

New Delhi: The Bombay High Court, who heard the apprehensions of moving the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches out of Pune and Mumbai due to severe water crisis, have asked the BCCI to consider shifting the tournament out of state and has demanded answers from the board.

The Bombay HC also questioned the BCCI that whether the board can provide 40 lacs litre water which it used earlier to the affected drought areas?

The second question was how much fund can the board donate to the Chief Minister fund for drought affected areas? And lastly the court has asked the BCCI to shift certain matches out of Mumbai and Pune.

The court also lamented that the state is concerned about the revenue, not water.

The Bombay HC had asked questions to the state government after the petitioner claimed to prioritize the usage of water and use it for agriculture instead.

The BCCI is said to have told the court that they will be using sewage water and not tank water for watering the pitches.

According to ANI, BCCI lawyer Rafiq Dada brought half a litre water sample being used for watering the pitches in court, and said its murky and also unfit for drinking to show they are using sewage water.

The state raised question over BCCI after the non-potable theory was questioned, as water used for IPL opening match between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants was questioned.

The state is said to have asserted on shifting IPL out of the state and have no affinity for matches.

A two-fold strategy (short and long term measure) is said to have been dwelled upon by the state after the court asked the state for provisions.

Reports state that a total of 70 lakh litres of water is stated to be used for the season in IPL.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Loksatta Movement and others stated that as much as 60 lakh litres of water is proposed to be used for maintaining cricket pitches in the three venues that will host the IPL matches in Maharashtra.

Earlier, hearing the PIL, a division Bench headed by Justice VM Kanade refused to stay the first match between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants at the Wankhede in Mumbai on April 9.

However, the court asked the the government to give a detailed reply by April 12. It has also asked the organisers to hold a meeting and a take decision on other matches to be held in Maharashtra.

The High Court had earlier also reprimanded MCA for the many litres of water it will use to prepare pitches for the world's richest cricket tournament at a time when large parts of the state are reeling under drought.

There have been demands to shift all IPL matches out of Maharashtra due to the crisis in the state as in the on-going season of IPL, Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur - are scheduled to host a total of 20 games.

The final is also scheduled to be held at the Wankhede Stadium on May 29.