DDCA using RO water to maintain Ferozeshah Kotla ground

Sabi Hussain

New Delhi, April 14

At a time when 13 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been ordered to be shifted out of Maharashtra due to the severe drought conditions in western India, the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) isn’t shying away from wasting water in massive amounts by using the Reverse Osmosis-treated (RO) drinking water for maintaining the Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

The water level in Delhi is alarmingly low and many parts of the city are suffering from the shortage of potable water. But that doesn't seem to bother the controversy-ridden DDCA. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) had pleaded before the Bombay High Court that it will only use treated sewage water for the IPL matches to be played in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. 

The DDCA officials, though, seem to be living in a world of their own. Not only is the DDCA drawing on the fast depleting ground water in the national capital, it is also getting it treated through RO before sprinkling it on the Kotla field. “I am surprised to see this misuse of water, especially at a time when people in Delhi are not getting enough drinking water,” Padamshri awardee and well-known environmentalist MC Mehta said.

“This is criminal because treating water through the RO process also means wasting almost an equal amount of water. And the waste water, because of the toxic substances it contains, cannot be used for anything, not even to wash utensils or toilet seats,” he added. During treatment, minerals from water get removed and this water, according to Mehta, is not fit for using even in the fields. Rather, regular water with all minerals is much better than RO treated water, he informed.

The RO plant in the DDCA was installed sometime around 2006-07. And thus, every drop that flows out of the DDCA taps is RO treated, whether it is for cleaning utensils or toilets, which means about 30 to 40 per cent of wastage.

DDCA treasurer Gopi Manchanda agrees that wasting water is something that should be immediately checked.

“At a time when many Indian states are facing drought, it’s not wise on the part of the DDCA to use water in such a manner. I do feel that water should be used with utmost care,” Manchanda said.

When asked why the DDCA is wasting precious water on the maintenance of the ground, Manchanda couldn’t come up with a justification. “A lot of RO treated water will be used for the IPL matches, which is not the right way. I agree that this practice should be stopped,” he added.

A senior Delhi Jal Board officer said that “the drilling of borewells is nowadays completely banned in the city”.

“However, even if DDCA had an old permission (if any) to do so, then it was made compulsory by DJB in 2008-09 to make voluntary disclosure of all borewells in any house, society or factories, by filling up a form. This form then goes to the District Magistrate of that area for further scrutiny,” the official informed.

When asked if permission to use RO water for ground maintenance is given, the official only expressed his anguish over the DDCA's outrageous actions.