Overview
The Supreme Court of India has again criticised the Rajasthan government for allowing untreated industrial effluents to pollute the Jojari River and neighbouring rivers. The pollution threatens the health of about 20 lakh residents who depend on these water bodies for drinking and agriculture.
Key Developments (2025‑2026)
- In 2025 the Court initiated a suo motu writ petition and set up a High‑level Ecosystem Oversight Committee.
- Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ordered a ban on construction within 100 m of riverbanks and on hazardous industries within 500 m of the river course or flood lines.
- The Court highlighted the State’s failure to enforce the 2022 National Green Tribunal compensation order against the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation.
- Officials were found to have regularised illegal sand‑mining leases, raising concerns of collusion with industrial mafias.
- Justice Mehta warned that the State could be held liable under the polluter pays principle.
Important Facts
The region’s rivers – Luni and Bandi – traverse the textile‑dyeing and steel‑working hub of Jodhpur, Balotra and Pali districts. Untreated or partially treated effluents from these factories flow directly into the rivers and soil.
State submissions in 2025 reveal that sewage treatment plants in the three urban centres can handle only about 50 % of the sewage generated. Moreover, CETPs are substantially under‑utilised, suggesting that many industries bypass treatment, have poor connections, or face capacity shortfalls.
Illegal sand mining in riverbeds further degrades the river ecosystem, exacerbating flood risks and reducing natural filtration.
Exam Relevance
This case touches upon several GS topics: environmental governance (GS3), the role of the judiciary in policy enforcement (GS2), and the polluter pays principle linking law, ethics, and economics (GS4). Aspirants should note how the Supreme Court can act as a regulator when state agencies fail, and how public‑interest litigation (PIL) drives accountability.
Way Forward
- Strengthen monitoring of industrial effluents and enforce mandatory connection to CETPs.
- Upgrade sewage treatment capacity to at least 100 % of generated sewage in the three towns.
- Implement strict penalties for illegal sand mining and regularise river‑bank zones as eco‑sensitive areas.
- Adopt the polluter pays approach through a transparent fund for river restoration.
- Ensure the Oversight Committee reports are acted upon promptly, with periodic audits by independent agencies.