VADODARA: The Rs 13-crore pipeline laid from the Narmada canal to keep the Kotambi international cricket ground green throughout the year is nearly running dry, just ahead of the stadium’s first international cricket match to be hosted this month.
For the last two months, the water supply through this pipeline has been inadequate, compelling the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) to tap local sources of water at the additional expense of at least Rs 2 lakh every month.
“On most days, the pipeline either runs dry or the supply is too little. It is not enough to keep our two cricket grounds green. The pipeline was laid to ensure that the stadium never faced water issues, but for the last two months we have not been getting enough water,” said a source in the BCA.
BCA treasurer Sheetal Mehta confirmed that water supply from the pipeline has been subpar. “We were told that the supply was stopped for the last couple of months by Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) as some maintenance work was underway on the canal. Before that, we were getting enough water from the Narmada canal,” Mehta told TOI.
The association spent Rs 13 crore on laying the pipeline from the Narmada canal at Sarnej village in Waghodia to the stadium. The BCA management signed a contract with GWSSB to draw at least 1.60 lakh litres every day from the canal and pay an annual water bill of Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh.
‘Groundwater at stadium is of poor quality’
BCA officials said the quality of underground water near the stadium is poor and not fit for use. Thus, the BCA didn’t sanction a borewell.
“Despite spending a fortune on the pipeline, the association is spending a huge sum on buying lakhs of litres of water from private suppliers and other sources.
The water supply issue must be sorted out as we will soon have three cricket grounds to look after at Kotambi,” said a BCA official. Built at the cost of over Rs 200 crore, the Kotambi international cricket stadium is set to host its first international match — between the India and West Indies women’s teams — on Dec 22.
