In a significant interim order aimed at enforcing environmental compliance at cricket stadiums, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has restrained Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium (SVNSIS), at Nava Raipur, from conducting any further sports activities without the leave of the Tribunal until the next date of hearing after recording its continued failure to respond to directions issued during proceedings relating to groundwater conservation and sustainable water management. The six-page order, passed by the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal on July 2 and accessed by ‘The Hitavada’, records that the interim restraint was issued after the Tribunal noted repeated non-compliance with its directions and the stadium’s continued failure to furnish the required response despite multiple opportunities and communications during the proceedings.

 

The order was passed by the Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, while hearing Execution Application No. 41 of 2023 arising out of Original Application No. 94 of 2021, along with Original Application No. 348 of 2024, concerning environmental safeguards for cricket stadiums. The Tribunal noted that the proceedings stem from its April 15, 2021 directions requiring regulation of groundwater extraction for maintenance of cricket grounds, promotion of high-quality treated sewage

 

(STP) water, installation of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems, and other environmental measures. The order records that despite repeated notices from the Tribunal, communications from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) through emails and speed post, and even earlier proceedings warning of possible closure, the Raipur stadium had not filed the required response. Similar observations were recorded against Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, and Dr D Y Patil Stadium, Mumbai. Observing that the matter concerns serious issues of water scarcity and environmental protection, the Tribunal passed an interim direction restraining the three stadiums from holding any sports activity without its prior permission until the next hearing. It also permitted the CGWA to prepare a fresh tabulated compliance report based on replies received from the concerned stadiums. The matter has been listed for August 17, 2026.