Water crisis in Bengaluru might not affect three first-leg IPL matches: KSCA
Bengaluru (PTI): The acute water shortage in the city might not pose any immediate threat to the three IPL first-leg matches to be played here, as KSCA, the host association, is confident of meeting the demand for water from the in-house sewage treatment plant.
Bengaluru is reeling under a severe water crisis, the worst in the last four decades, and there have been calls from several quarters to shift the IPL games, beginning here on March 25, out of the city.
"We are facing no crisis – at the moment that is. We have received the state government pertaining to water usage and we are in constant meetings about following the guidelines," Shubendu Ghosh, the CEO of Karnataka State Cricket Association, told PTI.
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board had issued a notice, barring the usage of potable water for any other purpose such as gardening or washing vehicles.
Ghosh exuded confidence that water from the sewage treatment plant inside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will suffice for purposes like watering the outfield and pitch.
"We are already using water from the STP plant for watering outfield and pitch and other in-stadium purposes. We may require 10000-15000 litres of water for match purposes, and we are certain that it can be generated from the STP plant.
"We don't need to use groundwater . Yes, we are having a closer look at the government's new policy on water usage, but we are confident of meeting all the points in the order," said Ghosh.
In the first IPL match of this season, local franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Punjab Kings on March 25, and four days later they will face Kolkata Knight Riders.
In the third match at home, RCB will be up against Lucknow SuperGiants on April 2.
The officials of Royal Challengers, a pioneer in green initiatives like reviving the city's lakes, also sounded confident of conducting the matches despite the water scarcity in the city.
"We are aware of the situation and are in touch with the KSCA office-bearers. But we have another two weeks in hand before the first match here. So, we are confident of a smooth conduct of matches.
"The venue also complies with the norms of National Green Tribunal, so a system is already in place to tackle such scenarios," said an official on conditions of anonymity.
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Delhi records high of 32.7 deg C; AQI remains 'moderate'
New Delhi (PTI): The maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 32.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 1.3 notches below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 1.3 notches below the average for the season, while the relative humidity stood at 46 per cent at 5.30 pm, the IMD said.
The weather department has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Monday with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 34 and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The air quality remained 'moderate' at 4 pm, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 134, a slight drop from Saturday’s 137, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
