In the villages of Syalodra (Sikar district) and Jodhpura‑Mohanpura (Kotputli‑Behror), families are losing breadwinners to silicosis. The disease is linked to unregulated stone‑crushing and blasting in the Aravalli hills. While a Supreme Court‑appointed panel completed field visits in August 2026, it omitted many of the most affected villages, raising doubts about the effectiveness of policy interventions.
Key Developments (August 2026)
- Panel’s field visits covered nine districts but skipped Syalodra and several other mining‑impacted villages (August 6‑11, 2026).
- The Supreme Court denied a six‑month extension for the panel’s final report, keeping the deadline at November 30, 2026.
- National Green Tribunal ordered Rajasthan to rehabilitate Jodhpura‑Mohanpura and banned blasts within 500 m of the village (November 2025).
- UltraTech Cement was directed to pay ₹20,000 per affected person for health‑related harm.
- Under the Rajasthan Policy on Pneumoconiosis, only 23,436 cases (including 6,876 deaths) are recorded, but activists claim the real burden is far higher.
Important Facts
- Manjeet, a stone‑crushing labourer, died after using 12 oxygen cylinders daily; each cylinder costs about ₹1,000.
- In Syalodra, more than 50 deaths have been linked to silicosis over recent years.
- A 2023 study recorded 4,977 certified cases in mining districts, with the highest prevalence among ages 36‑40.
- Residents face procedural hurdles: multiple hospital visits, unclear doctor assignments, and frequent cancellation of portal registrations.
- In Jodhpura‑Mohanpura, an April 2023 survey of 928 households found 478 reporting skin diseases, breathing problems, tuberculosis, and eye irritation.
Exam Relevance
The situation touches several GS papers. Supreme Court interventions illustrate judicial activism in environmental governance (GS2). The role of the National Green Tribunal showcases institutional mechanisms for ecological justice. The health crisis underscores the link between occupational hazards and public health policy (GS3). Finally, the involvement of the MoEFCC highlights inter‑ministerial coordination challenges.
Way Forward
- Ensure the panel visits all mining‑affected villages before the November 30, 2026 deadline to gather ground‑level evidence.
- Streamline the certification process: single‑window verification, clear doctor assignment, and mobile X‑ray units to reduce travel burden.
- Expand the Rajasthan Policy on Pneumoconiosis to cover unregistered cases and provide regular financial aid for oxygen support.
- Implement the NGT‑ordered 500 m blast‑free zone and monitor compliance through satellite‑based air‑quality mapping.
- Mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions from mining firms for community health camps and rehabilitation housing.