IPL 2016: No potable water for matches, says Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
IPL 2016: No potable water for matches, says Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
Since the start of the ninth season of Indian Premier League (IPL), there have been issues regarding the matches in Maharashtra due to the persisting water problem in the state and now the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has declared that the government is not in any condition willing to provide potable water for the cricket matches that take place during this time. Maharashtra is home to three important grounds situated in Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium), Pune (Maharashtra Cricket Association’s International Stadium) and Nagpur (Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium) of which Mumbai and Pune hold the home grounds for their respective city based franchises for IPL while Nagpur is scheduled to host three matches. READ: IPL 2016: Rajeev Shukla assures BCCI are committed to welfare of farmers
In an interview with The Indian Express, Fadnavis mentioned, “My government is firm that it would not provide potable water for cricket matches. In any case, we can provide non-potable water (recycled and not fit for drinking) for the matches. Yet, if some decision to relocate the venue outside Maharashtra is taken, we have no problem.”
IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla had earlier mentioned that the welfare of farmers is the priority. He added, “The IPL and BCCI are committed to the welfare of the farmers. We will do whatever is suggested to us. We will co-operate with whatever is told to us.”
Amidst all the odds, IPL saw a glamorous start in Mumbai on Friday with performances from Bollywood celebrities such as Jacqueline Fernandes, Katrina Kaif and Ranveer Singh while Yo Yo Honey Singh, Major Lazer and Chris Brown were the ones from the music industry who made the evening more entertaining. A special performance by Dwayne Bravo on his famous ‘Champion’ song was the center of attraction. The first match of the league is scheduled to take place in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.