Water Woes Mar India-New Zealand Test in Pune
Pune, October 24, 2024: The opening day of the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) stadium was marred by a severe shortage of drinking water, causing extreme inconvenience to spectators.
As temperatures soared and humidity levels remained high, free water kiosks in all the stands ran out of water around lunchtime. The situation was particularly dire in the North Stand, where it took nearly three hours to restore supply. In the South, East, and West stands, water supply was intermittent for up to an hour.
Spectators in the North Stand, exposed to the scorching sun, grew impatient and attempted to breach barricades in search of water. The situation escalated into a fracas when unknown vendors sold half-liter bottles at exorbitant prices. A group of fans resorted to vocal protests, calling out specific office-bearers by name.
MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal apologized for the inconvenience, stating that the issue had been addressed and free drinking water would be supplied without interruption for the remainder of the match. He explained that the MCA had attempted to serve chilled water to spectators, but the supply was interrupted at two or three points in the North Stand.
Pisal, along with MCA apex council members and chief operating officer Ajinkya Joshi, directed the event management agency and water supply vendor to double the number of water supply kiosks from Day Two.
The water shortage raised concerns about the MCA’s preparedness for the high-profile Test match. Spectators expressed their disappointment and frustration, with some calling for accountability from the stadium authorities.
