Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has claimed in a status report filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it is considering a rainwater harvesting and filtration system to meet the annual water requirement of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium’s green areas and reduce its dependence on groundwater. HCA is accused of misusing groundwater for the maintenance of the cricket pitch at Uppal stadium.In its reply-cum-status report filed on July 2, the association said the proposed system could capture and channelise between two crore and three crore litres of rainwater annually for irrigation, reuse and groundwater recharge. HCA sought a reasonable period to obtain approvals and commission the infrastructure and requested the tribunal not to initiate coercive action in the interim.The report was filed in proceedings arising an execution application moved by one Haider Ali. The applicant alleged that cricket associations were using groundwater to maintain playing grounds without turning to alternatives such as treated water from sewage treatment plants or installing rainwater harvesting, storage and recharge systems. The grievance also referred to water use during commercial tournaments, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).Firm proposes modular filtration systemHCA, represented by its secretary M Jeevan Reddy, said it was examining a technical proposal submitted by Furaat Earth Private Limited for a modular and patented rainwater filtration and recharge system.According to the association, the system is intended to help meet the annual water requirement of the stadium’s playing field and other green areas and eventually make the facility “water-positive”. The proposal includes wireless meters with a five-year battery backup to measure the quantity of rainwater harvested and reused.The association said the measurement system would enable verification of the water captured through the project. It added that the design, approval and installation of infrastructure on this scale would require time.The HCA also said it was exploring the feasibility of using treated water for the playing ground and green belt to further reduce groundwater consumption.HCA cites 8.2-lakh-litre storage capacityDetailing its existing arrangements, the association said the stadium had dedicated water storage facilities with a combined capacity of about 8.2 lakh litres.A facility on the right side of Gate No. 5 has a capacity of about 3.5 lakh litres and is used for public utility requirements. The report put the daily consumption from this facility at around 50,000 litres. Another storage facility on the left side of Gate No. 5 has a capacity of about 2.2 lakh litres and is maintained as an emergency reserve for fire safety.The storage facility near Gate No. 3 can hold about 2.5 lakh litres and caters to general operational requirements, the HCA said.The association maintained that packaged drinking-water cans were supplied for general use, while packaged mineral water was provided to office staff and during matches. It said these arrangements were intended to avoid drawing groundwater for drinking purposes.Report filed after tribunal imposed costThe tribunal had initially passed an order in the matter on April 15, 2021. The HCA subsequently failed to file the required status report despite orders dated March 19, July 17 and October 13, 2025.On January 22, 2026, the NGT recorded that the association was among the respondents that had not submitted a reply. It imposed a cost of ₹5,000 and granted six weeks to file the report.The HCA deposited the amount with the NGT Bar Association on April 30. Explaining the delay, it said the lapse was neither wilful nor deliberate and attributed it to bona fide administrative reasons, including the time required to collate and verify technical information and obtain professional advice on compliance measures.The association said it had consistently attempted to manage water efficiently and expressed its commitment to complying with environmental requirements. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on August 17.
