In Re: 2 Million Lives At Risk, Contamination In Jojari River, Rajasthan vs. Respondent

REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
INHERENT/CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

SUO MOTO WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO(S). 8 OF 2025

IN RE: 2 MILLION LIVES AT RISK,
CONTAMINATION IN JOJARI RIVER,
RAJASTHAN

WITH

CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). 5517-5519 OF 2022

CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). 8748 OF 2022

CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). 9057-9058 OF 2022

CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). 9010-9011 OF 2022

O R D E R
Mehta, J.
st
1. This Court, vide order dated 21 November,
1
2025 , while taking note of the severe degradation
and destruction of the Jojari River System, deemed it
necessary to modify/clarify the order granting

1
2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan,
In re , 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2518.
1


interim stay on the directions issued by the National
2 th
Green Tribunal vide final order dated 25 February,
2022. The Court held that the stay shall not operate
so as to restrain the implementation of substantive
remedial and regulatory directions issued by the
NGT. However, it was clarified that the interim stay
would continue to operate only in respect of the
remarks made against Rajasthan State Industrial
3
Development and Investment Corporation and other
concerned authorities/corporations, as well as the
direction imposing environmental compensation of
Rs. 2 Crores upon them. These aspects were kept
open for consideration at an appropriate stage,
subject to an evaluation of the future conduct,
actions and compliance demonstrated by the said
authorities/corporations.
2. In furtherance thereof, and having regard to the
scale of environmental harm, the prolonged inaction
and the necessity of a coordinated, scientifically
informed and accountable institutional framework,
this Court deemed it appropriate to constitute a

2
Hereinafter, being referred to as “NGT”.
3
For short, “RIICO”.
2


4
High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee
under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice
Sangeet Lodha, Hon’ble (Retd.) Judge of High
Court of Judicature for Rajasthan. The constitution
of the said Committee was considered imperative to
enable effective oversight of the restoration of the
river system and to ensure that remedial measures
are implemented in a structured and sustained
manner. The Committee was envisaged as a
dedicated fact-finding, monitoring and
implementation body tasked with identifying
systemic deficiencies, supervising measures
necessary to arrest further pollution, and formulating
long-term strategies for reversal of the environmental
damage already caused.
3. The mandate of the aforesaid Committee, as
delineated by this Court, was wide-ranging and
comprehensive. The Committee was entrusted with
ensuring the time-bound implementation of the
directions issued by the NGT final order dated
vide
th
25 February, 2022; preparation of a scientific and
actionable river restoration and rejuvenation

4
Hereinafter, being referred to as the “Committee”.
3


blueprint; identification and mapping of pollution
sources; and supervision of compliance by industrial
units and municipal bodies. The Committee was
further empowered to conduct audits and
inspections, assess infrastructure gaps in treatment
facilities, recommend augmentation measures, and
enforce accountability by identifying erring entities
and invoking the “Polluter Pays” principle.
Additionally, the Committee was tasked with
integrating technical inputs from expert institutions,
facilitating real-time monitoring mechanisms, and
ensuring community engagement through
dissemination of water quality data and
incorporation of local feedback.
4. The matter was thereafter directed to be listed
th
on 27 February, 2026 for the purpose of receiving
the first status report of the Committee, so as to
enable this Court to assess the progress made and to
issue further directions, if necessary.
th
5. In the hearing on 10 March, 2026, this Court
noted that the Committee, constituted in pursuance
st
of this Court’s order dated 21 November, 2025, had
submitted a detailed status report. The status report
had been systematically compartmentalized under
4


various heads and, inter alia , contained an overview
of the Luni River system; details of industries
operating in the districts of Jodhpur, Pali and
Balotra; particulars of the Common Effluent
5
Treatment Plants , including their installed
capacities and operational loads; and details of the
6
Sewage Treatment Plants functioning in the region.
The status report further incorporated findings of
inspections carried out by the Committee across
villages, industrial units and other locations situated
along the river system, along with photographic
material depicting the extent of environmental
degradation caused by the effluent-laden river flow.
It also set out the directions issued by the Committee
from time to time, the steps taken by the concerned
authorities pursuant thereto, the proposed course of
action in furtherance of this Court’s order, the
recommendations made in that regard, and the
logistical constraints being faced by the Committee in
effectively discharging its mandate.
6. Taking the status report on record, this Court
recorded the submission of Mr. Shiv Mangal Sharma,

5
For short, “CETP”.
6
For short, “STP”.
5


learned Additional Advocate General appearing for
the State of Rajasthan, that the concerns highlighted
by the Committee regarding the lack of adequate
human resources and official assistance would be
duly addressed and resolved by the State
Government on or before the next date of hearing.
The matter was accordingly directed to be listed on
th
17 March, 2026.
th
7. When the matter came up for hearing on 17
March, 2026, this Court recorded the submission of
Mr. Shiv Mangal Sharma, learned Additional
Advocate General appearing for the State of
Rajasthan, that most of the logistic issues being faced
by the Committee had been sorted out and resolved.
th
8. Thereafter, the matter was taken up on 18
March, 2026, and on the said date, an affidavit was
placed before this Court, in compliance of the order
th
dated 17 March, 2026.
CONSIDERATION OF THE STATUS REPORT AND
CONTINUING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
9. At the outset, upon perusal of the status report
submitted by the Committee, this Court is of the
considered view that the grave environmental
st
degradation noted in its order dated 21 November,
6


2025 stands fully substantiated by the detailed field
findings and empirical material now placed on
record. The status report discloses that the damage
to the river system is not only extensive in scale but
also deeply entrenched, indicative of a prolonged and
systemic failure on part of all stakeholders in curbing
pollution and enforcing environmental safeguards.
The magnitude and persistence of the harm, as
reflected in the status report, demonstrate a
continuing and alarming deterioration of all three
riverine ecosystems.
10. The material further reveals a disturbing
pattern of administrative apathy and regulatory
inaction on the part of the State of Rajasthan, its
departments, instrumentalities and corporations, as
well as the RIICO. Despite repeated inspections,
warnings and judicial interventions, the failure to
undertake timely and effective remedial measures
has allowed the situation to deteriorate to its present
critical state. The status report, therefore, not only
corroborates the concerns earlier expressed by this
Court but also establishes that the environmental
catastrophe is widespread and is a direct
7


consequence of sustained neglect and non-
compliance.
11. In view of the nature, scope and contents of the
status report submitted by the Committee, this Court
deems it appropriate to examine the principal issues
emerging therefrom in a structured and sequential
manner. Accordingly, the major aspects highlighted
in the report shall now be considered in seriatim , with
a view to evaluate the deficiencies identified, the
measures undertaken in response thereto, and the
further directions required to effectively arrest the
ongoing environmental degradation and ensure
meaningful restoration of the river system.
I. Industrial Waste and Treatment Infrastructure
12. Insofar as the issue of industrial waste
generation and the adequacy of treatment
infrastructure is concerned, the status report reveals
a significant concentration of polluting industries
across the districts of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra,
placing an enormous burden on the existing effluent
treatment systems. The material on record indicates
that the scale of industrial activity, particularly in the
textile sector, far exceeds the capacity and
8


operational efficiency of the treatment infrastructure,
thereby contributing directly to the direct discharge
of untreated or inadequately treated effluents into the
river system.
13. In Jodhpur, the status report indicates the
presence of a substantial number of textile and steel
industries, with as many as 6 textile units having
their own Effluent Treatment Plants, and 312 textile
units and 81 steel units connected to CETPs, largely
situated within RIICO industrial areas. While CETPs
for both textile and steel industries are stated to be
operating within their designed capacities, the
absence of Zero Liquid Discharge systems and the
continued discharge of treated effluent into the RIICO
drain, ultimately joining the Jojari River, remain
matters of serious concern. The situation is further
aggravated by infrastructural deficiencies, including
choked effluent conveyance pipelines and the total
lack of dedicated reuse mechanisms. In response to
these constraints as pointed out by the Committee,
7
the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has
imposed a Graded Response Roster Plan (GRRP),

7
For short, “RSPCB”.
9


th
w.e.f., 10 January, 2026, thereby restricting the
inflow of effluents from industrial units to levels
commensurate with the actual handling capacity of
the CETPs. Simultaneously, an additional effluent
conveyance system of approximately 23 km is being
executed by RIICO through Rajasthan Urban
Infrastructure Development Project at a cost of
Rs.23.81 crore, with the stated objective of enhancing
transportation capacity and reliability, and an
th
anticipated completion date of 11 May, 2026. It is,
however, of deep concern that despite RIICO having
allotted nearly 42,000 square metres of land at
Salawas for the establishment of an additional CETP
facility, no tangible progress has been made owing to
the lack of response from the concerned Special
Purpose Vehicle.
14. In Pali, the position appears to be severely
alarming. The status report records that out of 518
textile units, a vast majority are connected to CETPs.
However, serious operational deficiencies continue to
persist. CETP-4 has remained non-operational since
November, 2025 owing to technical and operational
th
issues, and it is further noted that, prior to 24
November, 2025, tertiary treated wastewater was
10


being discharged into the Bandi River in clear
violation of the conditions of consent to operate
issued by the RSPCB. Approximately 1,500 Metric
Tonnes of hazardous waste is reported to be lying
stored at the said facility. CETP-6, though
operational, has been functioning at a significantly
reduced capacity despite being designed for a higher
load. While effluent is primarily conveyed through an
underground closed conduit system, effluents from
certain industrial areas, including RIICO Industrial
Area Phase-I & II and Mahaveer Udyog Nagar,
continue to be transported through tankers. Such
transportation was originally permitted by the NGT
th
by order dated 26 May, 2017 for a limited duration
of six months, which has long since expired.
Notwithstanding the same, the practice appears to
have continued, though the Committee has now
resolved to completely prohibit such tanker-based
st
transport by its resolution dated 31 January, 2026.
It is further noted that, owing to sub-optimal
operations, discharge from member units has
presently been restricted, and treated water is being
redistributed for reuse largely through tankers in the
absence of a dedicated pipeline network. The facility,
11


though operating at a Zero Liquid Discharge level,
has seen the ZLD plant’s handling capacity decline
from approximately 4.5-5 MLD until two months ago
to about 2-2.5 MLD at present, possibly due to poor
operations and maintenance. The quantity of
hazardous waste stored at CETP-6 is reported to
be approximately 4,500 Metric Tonnes. The
aforesaid facts, taken cumulatively, reflect serious
lapses in compliance, infrastructural inadequacies,
and a continuing failure of regulatory oversight.
15. In Balotra, which constitutes a major textile
hub, the status report highlights the existence of
multiple CETPs catering to a large number of
industrial units, including facilities at Balotra,
Bithuja and Jasol. Although certain CETPs are
equipped with Zero Liquid Discharge systems, their
operational performance remains inconsistent, with
several units functioning below capacity due to
issues relating to maintenance, upgradation and
monitoring. The absence of Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition (SCADA) connectivity in certain
units, reliance on tanker-based reuse systems, and
instances of unscientific disposal practices, including
the use of storage facilities in a manner inconsistent
12


with environmental norms, point towards systemic
deficiencies in both infrastructure and its
management.
16. More broadly, the status report brings to fore
persistent operational issues affecting CETPs across
all three regions. These include chronic under-
utilisation of installed capacities, non-compliance
with prescribed environmental standards, absence or
inadequacy of Zero Liquid Discharge systems, and
recurring technical and maintenance failures. The
material further discloses that institutional and
financial constraints, including disputes between
operating agencies and Special Purpose Vehicles,
irregular payment mechanisms, and lack of adoption
of modern technologies, have severely compromised
the efficiency of treatment systems. The cumulative
effect of these deficiencies is the continued discharge
of inadequately treated effluents into the river
system, thereby exacerbating environmental
degradation and posing a serious threat to public
health and ecological sustainability.


13


II. Sewage Treatment Infrastructure and
Municipal Discharge
17. The status report reveals a consistent and
significant gap between sewage generation and
treatment capacity across all three regions, resulting
in the continued discharge of untreated and partially
treated sewage into the river systems. The material
placed on record indicates that untreated and
partially treated sewage continues to be discharged
directly into the river systems, thereby compounding
the pollution caused by industrial effluents and
significantly aggravating the overall environmental
degradation.
18. In Jodhpur, the status report indicates that the
city generates approximately 230 Million Litres per
8
Day of sewage, whereas the existing treatment
capacity is limited to about 175 MLD through a
combination of four STPs and one oxidation pond.
This leaves a substantial treatment gap of
approximately 55 MLD. Although two STPs at
Uchiyarda and Jhalamand, each with a capacity of
10 MLD, are under construction, and the capacity

8
For short, “MLD”.
14


enhancement and technological upgradation of the
Nandi Sewage Treatment Facility up to 30 MLD is
underway, the current deficiency remains significant.
It is of particular concern that both treated and
untreated sewage is being discharged into the Jojari
River, thereby contributing to its continued
contamination.
19. In Pali, the situation similarly reflects
inadequate treatment infrastructure. The status
report records that against an estimated sewage
generation of 32 MLD, the existing treatment capacity
is only 22.5 MLD through two functional STPs,
resulting in a shortfall of approximately 9.5 MLD. The
status report further indicates that both treated and
untreated sewage is, in large measure, discharged
into the Bandi River, thereby exacerbating the
already critical condition of the river system.
20. In Balotra, the position is equally disquieting.
The municipal sewage generation is estimated at 12.5
MLD, whereas only a single STP with a capacity of 9
MLD is functional, leaving a treatment gap of
approximately 3.5 MLD. The status report further
records that the said STP has not met prescribed
operational benchmarks at any point in time and has
15


not been granted “Consent to Operate” by RSPCB. It
is also noted that prosecution has been initiated
against the Commissioner of the concerned
municipal authority. Despite this, treated as well as
untreated sewage continues to be discharged into the
Luni River.
21. The aforesaid facts reveal that the deficiencies
in sewage treatment infrastructure, coupled with
inadequate operation and regulatory enforcement,
have resulted in the continuous discharge of
untreated municipal waste into the river systems.
The failure to bridge the gap between sewage
generation and treatment capacity, and the lack of
adherence to statutory standards, have materially
contributed to the degradation of the riverine ecology
and underscore the urgent need for augmentation,
modernization and strict monitoring of sewage
treatment systems.
III. Inspection Findings and On-Ground Impact
22. Pursuant to the directions issued by this Court,
the Committee undertook extensive field inspections
across the districts of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra,
covering river stretches, industrial clusters, affected
16


villages and downstream impact zones. The
inspections, conducted in multiple phases
th
commencing from 20 December, 2025, along with
follow-up visits, reveal a disturbing and continuing
pattern of environmental devastation and
administrative apathy. The on-ground findings
disclose large-scale mortality of Babul trees along the
riverine stretches, which, given the hardy and
drought-resistant nature of the species,
unmistakably indicates prolonged exposure to toxic
wastewater and effluents contaminating surface
water, ground water and adjoining soil, thereby
serving as a visible ecological marker of sustained
pollution. The Committee has further observed that
the persistent discharge of treated and untreated
sewage and industrial effluents has rendered the
river system wholly unfit for agricultural, livestock
and ecological use. Polluted water is being utilised for
irrigation, vast tracts of agricultural land remain
submerged, groundwater stands contaminated, and
public infrastructure has suffered extensive damage.
The cumulative impact is reflected in degradation of
soil quality, destruction of vegetation, adverse effects
on livestock health, and serious impairment of the
17


livelihoods and living conditions of local
communities. These inspection findings present a
stark and comprehensive account of the continuing
environmental injury and its far-reaching
consequences on ecology, public health and the rural
economy.
A. Jodhpur
23.
In Jodhpur, the inspections reveal a pervasive
and continuous discharge of untreated sewage and
industrial effluents into the Jojari River through
multiple sources, including direct inflows,
submerged/concealed pipelines, stormwater drains
and illegal discharge points. The intermingling of
sewage and industrial waste was visibly evident at
several locations, with RIICO drains effectively
functioning as conduits for industrial effluents,
alongside instances of illegal textile activities
discharging waste into municipal drains. Specific
instances underscore the gravity of the situation: at
Khokharia, untreated sewage from adjoining areas
was found directly entering the river channel and the
riverbed was visibly being used for dumping solid
waste/garbage; near Uchiyarda, submerged pipelines
18


were observed discharging untreated effluents with
visible foaming downstream; and at Salawas Bridge,
stark colour variations in the water clearly indicated
the confluence of industrial effluents and sewage
from different sources. In residential localities such
as Bhadwasiya, Ashok Nagar and Maderna Colony,
open drains were found carrying effluents from illegal
textile operations, while stormwater infrastructure
within RIICO areas was being misused for wastewater
disposal, reflecting a complete breakdown of
regulatory control over discharge mechanisms.
24. The downstream consequences of such
unchecked discharge were found to be severe and far-
reaching. In Village Doli, an age-old well, stated to be
over 400 years old, had become filled with toxic
contaminated water and rendered unusable,
indicating deep and irreversible groundwater
contamination. Similarly, Government School
buildings in Villages Melba and Araba were found to
have remained submerged for prolonged periods,
rendering them non-functional and reflecting the
extent to which essential public infrastructure has
been incapacitated due to continuous wastewater
inundation. Large tracts of agricultural land were
19


found submerged under effluent-laden water,
rendering them unfit for cultivation, while traditional
water bodies and groundwater sources stood
extensively polluted. The inspections further
recorded serious adverse impacts on livestock health,
including infertility, disease and decline in cattle
population, as well as a marked deterioration in the
living conditions of affected populations. The
cumulative effect of these findings reflects not merely
environmental degradation, but a complete collapse
of ecological balance and civic life in the affected
areas.
25. Furthermore, during a follow-up inspection
nd
conducted on 22 January, 2026 at Villages Doli and
Araba to assess the impact of the Graded Response
Roster Plan (GRRP), it was observed that while water
levels had receded in certain areas and land had
become visible after prolonged submergence, there
was no corresponding improvement in water quality,
which continued to fail prescribed standards.
Residents also raised serious grievances regarding
the inadequate supply of potable water, pointing out
that the existing pipeline networks traverse
contaminated and submerged areas, thereby posing
20


a significant risk of further pollution of the supplied
water itself. Consequently, reliance had been placed
on tanker-based water supply, which was found to be
inadequate. These findings indicate that while
interim measures may have led to a marginal
reduction in visible water accumulation, the
underlying contamination persists unabated,
continuing to pose serious environmental and public
health risks.
B. Pali
26. In Pali, the inspections disclose a deeply
entrenched pattern of contamination of the Bandi
River and its associated water systems, arising from
continuous discharge of industrial effluents and
sewage. The situation is aggravated by the presence
of untreated wastewater in river stretches, drains and
adjoining areas, coupled with visible attempts at
concealment and continued reliance on
impermissible modes of disposal. Notably, at the
Bandi-Luni confluence, residents reported complete
loss of agricultural productivity and severe issues
related to health of cattle. At Dhundhara, the public
well known as “Mitthia Bera” was found
21


contaminated and unfit for drinking or irrigation and
at NH-62 (C-8 Bridge), large-scale soil dumping
and levelling of the riverbed was observed,
allegedly undertaken to conceal effluent
discharge. Further, continuous discharge of
wastewater was seen through drains such as the
Gandhi Nagar RIICO drain, with visible sludge
deposits at discharge points, while unscientific
dumping of hazardous sludge in CETP yards of
CETP-4 and CETP-6 and designated sludge yards
was also recorded.
27. The downstream and cumulative impact in Pali
is of a grave and irreversible nature. At Nehda Dam,
which was originally constructed as a freshwater
reservoir, the inspections revealed massive
accumulation of effluent-laden wastewater and
sludge deposits, effectively transforming it into a
toxic reservoir. In areas such as Gadwada-Jaitpur
and Chhapariya, more than 1000 bighas of
agricultural land was found waterlogged with high
salinity levels, rendering the land unproductive
and instances were reported where crops such as
Isabgol showed survival rates as low as 5% due to
contaminated irrigation water. Groundwater
22


contamination, soil degradation, and long-term
agricultural losses were consistently reported by
residents, along with adverse impacts on livestock
health. The findings further indicate widespread
environmental degradation, disruption of rural
livelihoods, and a sustained failure of regulatory
enforcement mechanisms.
C. Balotra
28. In Balotra, the inspections reveal a situation of
systemic and large-scale environmental violation,
marked by misuse of treatment infrastructure, illegal
discharge practices and continued non-compliance
with statutory norms. The Luni River and associated
drains were found carrying sewage and industrial
effluents, with extensive sludge deposition across the
riverbed indicating prolonged and repeated
contamination. Significant instances include the
Ambey Valley HRTS facilities being used not for
treatment but for storage of large volumes of effluent-
laden wastewater. At the said location, prominent
tyre tracks were observed on the riverbed
indicating the movement of heavy vehicles,
which, lacking any ecological justification and
23


causing disturbance to the riverbed, are strongly
indicative of deliberate human intervention, most
likely undertaken to conceal traces of sludge and
wastewater. It was further observed that certain
industrial units were operating without valid Consent
to Operate and were directly discharging effluents
into the river and surrounding areas.
29. It is of serious concern that the HRTS facility at
Khed Road (Old), in respect of which specific
directions had earlier been issued by RSPCB for
removal of accumulated wastewater and sludge and
for reclamation of the site within a stipulated
timeframe, was not shown to the Committee during
th th
its inspection on 24 and 25 December, 2025 and
was instead represented as having been abandoned.
However, during the subsequent inspection
conducted pursuant to reported instances of
discharge of effluent-laden wastewater into the
said facility, the site was inspected by the
Committee, and during the said inspection it was
found that large volumes of contaminated
wastewater continued to remain stored in the
tanks, which were required to be dismantled years
earlier. The subsistence and misuse of these
24


tanks, coupled with continued inflow of effluents
and associated environmental violations,
including foul odour and landscape degradation,
clearly demonstrate non-compliance with prior
directions and reinforce concerns of earlier non-
disclosure being an attempt to conceal ongoing
violations.
30. Furthermore, the proposed construction of RCC
storage reservoirs at Ambey Valley, in close proximity
to existing HRTS facilities, gives rise to serious
environmental concerns. The status report indicates
that consent had been granted for 10 tanks of 10
million litres each, ostensibly for emergency storage,
though only partial construction was underway.
Having regard to the past misuse and breaches of
HRTS facilities in the same area, the proposed large-
scale storage of wastewater on the riverbank appears
wholly disproportionate to the actual operational
requirements and poses a significant risk of
continued accumulation and potential discharge of
untreated effluents. In these circumstances, the
Committee has directed that the construction of the
said storage tanks be forthwith stopped, and that
25


existing directions issued by RSPCB in relation to
HRTS facilities be strictly enforced.
31. The environmental consequences in Balotra are
both widespread and alarming. At Mandapura,
approximately 800 bighas of pastureland was found
submerged under effluent-laden wastewater. In Jerla
and adjoining areas, large-scale submergence of land
due to continuous discharge through the Jerla Nalla
was observed, indicating continuing inflow of
effluent-laden wastewater. Despite claims that
industrial units in RIICO Phase-IV were equipped
with ETPs, inspections revealed widespread illegal
discharge, with only one out of 45 units found
compliant, corroborating residents’ complaints and
the visible extent of contamination and
environmental damage affecting Jerla and beyond.
Additionally, at Solar Evaporation Ponds, Khed Road
(New), overflow between tanks was noticed, indicating
improper handling and excess inflow of wastewater.
The inspections also revealed ongoing sludge
deposition even in newly constructed drainage
channels, reflecting continued discharge and
ineffective mitigation. The cumulative effect of these
findings is the degradation of river ecology,
26


destruction of agricultural and pasture lands, risk to
biodiversity, and sustained exposure of local
populations to severe environmental and health
hazards.
32. The inspection findings, when viewed
collectively, reveal a continuous and interconnected
pattern of environmental degradation across the
Jodhpur-Pali-Balotra regions. The discharge of
untreated and inadequately treated sewage and
industrial effluents has led to contamination of
rivers, accumulation of toxic sludge, destruction of
agricultural land, degradation of groundwater, and
severe impact on public health, livestock and ecology.
The material on record leaves no room for doubt that
the damage is widespread, continuing and the result
of prolonged systemic failure in enforcement and
compliance. The situation, as it emerges from the
inspections, calls for immediate, stringent and
sustained remedial intervention at all levels.
IV. Directions Issued by the High-Level Ecosystem
Oversight Committee
st
33. In the course of its second meeting held on 31
January, 2026, upon detailed deliberations on the
27


data presented, field observations, and the persistent
deficiencies in implementation, the Committee noted
with concern that the progress achieved thus far falls
significantly short of the expected outcomes and that
the objectives of environmental restoration remain a
distant dream. In these circumstances, and having
regard to the urgency of arresting further
environmental degradation, the Committee
proceeded to issue a slew of directions, unanimously
agreed upon, aimed at ensuring strict compliance
with environmental norms, strengthening treatment
infrastructure, curbing illegal discharges, and
expediting the implementation of remedial measures
in a time-bound and coordinated manner.
Accordingly, the following directions were issued: -
a. RSPCB must ensure that all
CETPs/ETPs/STPs comply with prescribed
standards and norms.
b. RSPCB must ensure that all CETPs are
upgraded to Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) within
a defined timeline.
c. Performance audits of CETPs by IIT Jodhpur
must be expedited and the reports shall be
submitted to the Committee at the earliest.
d. Inspection and performance audits of all ETP
units must be conducted in a time-bound
28


manner with regular monitoring for zero
wastewater discharge.
e. RSPCB must prepare and submit a complete
plan for new CETPs or capacity augmentation
of existing CETPs in the three industrial
clusters considering present and future needs.
f. State Government should explore the
possibility of inclusion of government officials
in CETP governing bodies or similar
participation to improve operation and
management.
g. Except permitted conduit lines, all illegal or
unused pipelines in industrial clusters
(Jodhpur, Pali, Balotra) must be removed in
coordination with RIICO and local bodies with
cost recovered from violating CETPs/Industrial
Units.
h. Industrial effluents must be transported only
through closed conduit pipelines with SCADA-
based flow meters. The practice of carrying of
effluents by use of Tankers shall be completely
banned and violators must be prosecuted.
i. Sludge stored in CETP yards in all clusters
must be scientifically disposed of/removed
within 4 weeks.
j. RSPCB shall furnish complete details of
‘Consent to Establish’ and ‘Consent to Operate’
granted to applicants in the districts of
Jodhpur, Pali, and Balotra for industries
established on agricultural land or land not set
apart or duly converted for industrial use; in
29


the meantime, no ‘Consent to Establish’ shall
be issued unless the land is duly converted for
industrial purposes, including for
establishment of obnoxious industries such as
textile units.
k. RSPCB shall ensure strict compliance with its
nd
order dated 22 February, 2019 regarding
HRTS at Khed (Old) within 2 months.
l. Wastewater transmitted from CETP Balotra to
HRTS at Ambey Valley must be returned to
CETP for treatment within 3 months, and
sludge at HRTS must be disposed of
scientifically and as per prescribed norms.
m. Construction of concrete storage tanks at
Ambey Valley by CETP Trust, Balotra must stop
immediately.
n. No Consent to Establish or Consent to Operate
shall be issued by RSPCB for
hazardous/obnoxious industries near
riverbanks, and the prescribed distance norms
from high flood areas must be strictly followed.
o. RSPCB must prepare a plan within 1 month for
on-site treatment of effluent collected in Nehda
Dam, ponds, and other water resources across
various villages.
p. RIICO/RUIDP must complete the laying of
conduit pipes for textile units connected to
CETP at Jodhpur within the scheduled
timeline.
q. RSPCB must develop and implement an IoT-
based surveillance plan with a specific timeline.
30


r. RSPCB must take legal measures to recover
environmental compensation imposed on
violators.

s. Local bodies in Jodhpur, Balotra, and Pali must
fully utilize the treatment capacity of existing
STPs.
t. Work of under-construction STPs in Jodhpur
must be completed within the scheduled
timeline.
u. Local bodies of Jodhpur, Balotra, and Pali must
submit time-bound infrastructure plans for
establishment of new STPs or capacity
augmentation of existing STPs, to cover the gap
between total municipal discharge and
treatment capacity available within 2 months.
v. Local bodies of Jodhpur, Balotra, and Pali
should explore the possibility of beneficial use
of treated water.
w. Local bodies of Jodhpur, Balotra, and Pali must
take measures to ensure that treated water
does not mix with untreated sewage/effluents.
x. Illegal industries operating on agricultural land
or residential area must be closed immediately,
and land must be restored to its original use.
y. Local bodies of Jodhpur, Balotra, and Pali must
explore the possibility of rehabilitation of small-
scale textile artisans.
z. Stormwater drains in RIICO industrial areas
must be cleaned regularly. Sludge taken out
from RIICO drains shall not be deposited by the
side of the drains and shall be immediately
31


disposed of appropriately. The said work shall
be done either by RIICO independently or in
coordination with municipal bodies.

aa. RIICO, Local Self Government Department, and
District Administration must develop solutions
regarding sewerage systems and sewage
treatment in RIICO industrial areas.

Having considered the directions holistically, we
find the same to be completely in sync with the
objectives of this suo moto writ petition.
Accordingly, we accord our full imprimatur to the
directions issued by the Committee and direct that
the same shall operate as interim directions of this
Court.
V. Actions Taken Pursuant to the Directions of
the Committee
34. Pursuant to the directions issued by the
Committee in its second meeting, various
authorities, including the RSPCB and the District
Task Forces in Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra, have
undertaken a series of enforcement, regulatory
and remedial measures. The actions reported
reflect an intensified effort towards curbing illegal
discharge, strengthening compliance mechanisms
32


and addressing infrastructural and operational
deficiencies. The principal steps taken are
summarised hereunder: -
A. Actions Taken by Rajasthan State Pollution
Control Board (RSPCB):
• Imposition of a Graded Response Roster Plan
(GRRP) on CETP (Textile), Jodhpur,
restricting operational hours from 8 A.M. to 8
P.M. and reducing wastewater discharge by
50%.
• Conduct of 1,632 inspections across
st
industrial units, CETPs and STPs between 1
st
September, 2025 and 31 January, 2026 in
Pali, Balotra & Jodhpur clusters.
• Closure/demolition of 110 illegal textile
processing units in coordination with district
authorities.
•
Closure orders issued against 97 industries
and revocation of Consent to Operate of 61
industries for non-compliance.
• Imposition of environmental compensation
amounting to Rs.1,33,11,950/- on defaulting
industries.
33


• Forfeiture of bank guarantees of Rs. 20 lakhs
(SPV, Pali) and Rs. 2.5 crore (SPV of CETP
Jodhpur) for non-compliance of conditions
laid down in Consent to Operate, including
failure to achieve ZLD.
• Issuance of directions to halt construction of
RCC storage tanks at Ambey Valley, Balotra,
and to initiate reclamation of HRTS facilities
and treatment of accumulated wastewater.
B. Actions Taken by District Task Force, Jodhpur:
• A joint enforcement exercise in Jodhpur
resulted in action against 66 illegal industrial
units, while 26 units under the jurisdiction of
the Jodhpur Development Authority were
identified, of which 21 were dismantled and
5 sealed, and 40 units under the Municipal
Corporation jurisdiction were proceeded
against, including demolition of 10 units,
seizure of machinery and premises of 17
units, voluntary removal of machinery by 10
units, disconnection of water connections of
6 units, and disconnection of electricity
connections of 8 units.
34


• Issuance of temporary closure notices to
multiple industries to prevent overflow of
untreated effluents.
• Demolition of 142 illegal washing tanks
following drone-based identification in
affected areas of Bhandu-Salawas.
C. Actions Taken by District Task Force, Pali:
• Survey and mapping of encroachments
within the Bandi River area.
• Seizure of unauthorized tanker-based
effluent transport and initiation of
proceedings under Section 133 of Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 against violators.
• Construction of motorable pathways of about
7 Kms along riverbanks for monitoring and
blocking of unauthorized discharge points.
• 25 units in residential areas were identified
for potential discharge of polluted water and
placed under surveillance; one operational
unit was demolished; and two FIRs were
registered for illegal discharge of wastewater
and chemical effluents into drains and the
Bandi River, with demolition of the
associated illegal structures.
35


• Non-hazardous waste and garbage near the
Bandi River adjoining CETP-1 and CETP-2
were removed; notices were issued restricting
disposal of waste to designated dumping
yards and prohibiting discharge of sewage
into RIICO drains; rainwater discharge points
into the river were blocked; interconnecting
drains were obstructed; and desilting and
removal of floating materials from major
drains were undertaken.
• Enforcement actions included seizure of cloth
by the Municipal Corporation; demolition of
illegal washing tanks; and constitution of a
th
multi-departmental task force on 30
December, 2025 to ensure continuous
monitoring, coordination and review of
pollution control measures.
D. Actions Taken by District Task Force, Balotra:
• Enforcement action against 83 illegal
industrial units, including demolition,
seizure and disconnection of electricity.
• Detection of illegal sewer connections by 32
units and forwarding of cases for criminal
prosecution.
36


• Issuance of allotment cancellation notices to
81 defaulting industries.
• Action against tanker-based discharge of
wastewater and imposition of penalties.
VI. Identification and Mapping of Legal and Illegal
Discharge Points
35. The material placed before this Court reveals
that the discharge of industrial effluents and sewage,
both treated and untreated, is pervasive across the
districts of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra, occurring
through rivers, stormwater drains, municipal drains,
pipelines and even tanker-based disposal. The
cumulative impact of such uncontrolled discharge is
visible across the river systems, with the devastation
originating in Jodhpur extending downstream
towards Dhawa and further into Balotra district. In
Pali, the proximity of industrial areas to the
riverbanks has rendered the Bandi River particularly
vulnerable, with severe consequences observed at
Nehda Dam and adjoining irrigated areas. In Balotra,
the situation is exacerbated by the continuous flow
of effluent-laden wastewater through the Jerla Nalla,
37


resulting in large-scale submergence of land,
including pastureland, over vast areas.
36. In view of the above, and in compliance with the
directions of this Court, the Committee considered it
necessary to undertake a comprehensive scientific
mapping of all discharge and confluence points to
ascertain the ground realities and the pathways
through which contamination has spread over the
years. Accordingly, joint teams comprising officers
from RIICO, RSPCB and the Local Self Government
Department were constituted to carry out this
exercise. These teams conducted extensive field
inspections across Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra to
identify all sources of discharge, mixing points within
drains and riverbeds, instances of tanker-based
disposal, and points of confluence of industrial
effluents and sewage.
37. The scope of the exercise included identification
of all treated and untreated industrial wastewater
and sewage discharge points in the rivers; mapping
of mixing points within drains, manholes and
riverbeds; identification of tanker-based disposal
locations; and detection of all points of confluence
where industrial effluents and sewage, whether
38


treated or untreated, intermingle within the drainage
network and river systems, including within RIICO
stormwater infrastructure. Pursuant to such
exercise, detailed district-wise reports have been
prepared to provide a complete and accurate
assessment of wastewater discharge and its
transmission pathways.
38. The district-wise findings of the joint teams
reveal a widespread and systemic pattern of
discharge and mixing of industrial effluents and
sewage across all three regions. In Jodhpur, multiple
discharge points were identified where untreated
sewage and industrial effluents enter the Jojari River
through drains, pipelines and stormwater channels,
with several locations showing direct inflow and
mixing within the riverbed. In Pali, the findings
indicate extensive discharge of industrial wastewater
into the Bandi River, particularly from industrial
areas situated along the riverbank, along with
multiple confluence points where treated and
untreated effluents mix with sewage, thereby
aggravating contamination downstream, including at
Nehda Dam. In Balotra, the situation was found to be
most critical, with numerous identified points of
39


tanker-based discharge, illegal disposal through
drains such as the Jerla Nalla, and multiple
confluence points within the river system, including
RIICO stormwater drains, reflecting a continuous
and unregulated flow of effluent-laden wastewater.
The reports collectively demonstrate that the
contamination is not confined to isolated instances
but is the result of a network of interconnected
discharge points and pathways, leading to large-scale
and persistent degradation of the river systems.
VII. Recommendations of the High-Level
Ecosystem Oversight Committee
39. Upon comprehensive field inspections and
review, the Committee has observed that there is a
continued and pervasive discharge of industrial
effluents and sewage, resulting in widespread
environmental degradation and persistent non-
compliance with statutory norms. The laboratory
analyses further indicate that the sampled water fails
to satisfy even the minimum standards prescribed by
the Central Pollution Control Board, including the
criteria for CPCB “Class E” water, which is designated
for irrigation, industrial cooling and controlled waste
40


disposal. Despite prior statutory directions and
regulatory measures, recurring violations and
systemic deficiencies continue unabated. Although
certain directions were issued by the Committee in
st
its meeting dated 31 January, 2026, it has been
found that additional structured and comprehensive
measures are necessary to achieve meaningful
environmental restoration. Accordingly, the
Committee has made the following
recommendations: -
A. State Government should strengthen oversight
of CETPs by designating a nodal agency to
ensure their proper establishment, operation,
financial management, and governance so that
prescribed environmental standards are
consistently achieved.
B. RSPCB should replace the existing method of
estimating wastewater discharge based on
fabric type, process, and production with a
machinery-based system for calculating
wastewater generation, and implement such
system within one month.
C. RSPCB should ensure that no Consent to
Establish or Consent to Operate is granted for
the establishment of hazardous or obnoxious
industries along the riverbanks, and the
prescribed norms of maintaining distance from
high flood area/buffer zone of the river laid
41


down in the relevant rules/guidelines must be
strictly enforced.
D. RSPCB shall take strict enforcement measures
against violators for the recovery of
environmental compensation including the
suspension of Consent to Operate, and
disconnection of electricity and water supply.
E. Illegal industries operating on agricultural or
residential land should be immediately closed or
seized. The land covered by such illegal
industries must be restored to its original use.
Proceedings for resumption of Khatedari rights
should be initiated and concluded
expeditiously. The land should be attached
during the pendency of the said proceedings.
RSPCB shall determine and recover
compensation from the violators and
prosecution should be undertaken.
F. Any CETP or industrial unit operating an
Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) found violating
pollution control norms or discharging
untreated/partially treated effluents should be
immediately closed. Compensation shall be
imposed and prosecution shall be initiated
against the violators. Operations should resume
only after full compliance, and repeat violators
should require prior permission of the Supreme
Court to restart their operations.
G. Tankers transporting industrial effluent illegally
should be seized immediately, prosecution
should be launched against the violators, and
42


the concerned District Magistrate should be
empowered to confiscate such vehicles.
H. The Department of Water Resources,
Government of Rajasthan should be directed to
restore the natural flow path of the Jojari River
to prevent stagnation within the riverbed and
spreading of contaminated water in nearby
villages, and treated municipal sewage from
Jodhpur should not be discharged into Jojari
River but diverted for beneficial uses.
I. Local bodies of Jodhpur, Pali, and Balotra,
along with RIICO and the Department of
Industries, should develop within three months
a planned and regulated rehabilitation or
relocation model with proper infrastructure for
artisans engaged in Tie-and-Dye textile work.
J. A Multi-Disciplinary Expert Assessment Panel
should be constituted to undertake a
comprehensive, scientific, and time-bound
assessment of the affected areas, considering
the multi-dimensional impacts of effluent-laden
wastewater and sewage. The assessment shall,
inter alia , include evaluation of environmental,
ecological, and socio-economic impacts,
comprising: scientific analysis of groundwater
and soil contamination; epidemiological studies
on human health; veterinary and livestock
health assessments, particularly in relation to
productivity, fertility, and disease patterns;
ecological and biodiversity impacts, including
habitat degradation and wildlife loss;
43


examination of contaminants, including heavy
metals, in foodgrains, vegetables, fodder, and
dairy produce; economic valuation of
agricultural and livelihood losses; and
estimation of remediation and restoration costs.
The Panel shall also develop a scientifically
reasoned framework for determining
compensation payable to affected populations.
K. The joint committee earlier constituted by the
th
NGT vide final order dated 25 February, 2022,
for remediation and restoration of
environmental damage should be appropriately
reconstituted by including the District
Collectors of Jodhpur, Pali, and Balotra, the
Principal Secretary of the Department of Water
Resources, and a subject expert.
L. A dedicated environmental restoration and
compensation fund should be created, and all
compensation amounts already collected by
CPCB, RSPCB, and RIICO pursuant to NGT
directions should be transferred to this fund for
structured environmental restoration and
payment of compensation to affected persons.

M. All authorities concerned should ensure strict
adherence and timely compliance with the
directions issued by the Committee in its
st
resolution dated 31 January, 2026.
N. In view of vacant positions namely, Joint
Secretary, Local Self-Government Department
and Joint Secretary, Urban Development and
Housing Department, in the Committee, the
44


Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self-
Government, and Principal Secretary,
Department of Urban Development and
Housing may replace the Joint Secretaries
earlier nominated, and the Chairperson of
RSPCB and the Principal Secretary of the
Department of Water Resources should be
included to strengthen decision-making and
coordination.
O. Failure of the State Government to appoint a
dedicated Registrar-cum-Nodal Officer and
provide essential staff (including a
Stenographer and Legal Researcher) is
significantly impeding the effective functioning
of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight
Committee, as the officer presently holding
additional charge is unable to discharge
responsibilities efficiently due to other official
commitments. A dedicated Registrar-cum-
Nodal Officer (RAS officer) along with necessary
supporting staff, including a Stenographer
(English Language) and legal researcher, should
be appointed for the High-Level Ecosystem
Oversight Committee to ensure its smooth and
effective functioning.
ANALYSIS AND CONSIDERATION BY THIS COURT
40. Having examined the status report, the findings
of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee,
and the material placed on record, this Court now
45


proceeds to analyse the issues arising therefrom. The
facts, as they emerge, disclose not merely isolated
instances of non-compliance environmental
standards, but a sustained and systemic failure of
regulatory enforcement, institutional accountability
and infrastructural adequacy. The scale, continuity
and impact of the violations necessitate a deeper
judicial scrutiny to assess the adequacy of measures
undertaken thus far and to determine the further
course of action required to arrest ongoing
degradation and secure restoration of the river
system in a time-bound and effective manner.
41. At the outset, it must be observed that the
material placed before this Court paints a deeply
disturbing picture of prolonged and inexcusable
apathy on the part of the State of Rajasthan, its
instrumentalities, including the Rajasthan State
Industrial Development and Investment Corporation
(RIICO), the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure
Development Project (RUIDP), as well as the
municipal corporations and local bodies of Jodhpur,
Pali and Balotra. Despite repeated judicial
interventions, statutory obligations and the
availability of technical inputs, there has been a
46


persistent failure to take effective and timely
measures to prevent the discharge of untreated
effluents and to protect the riverine ecosystem. The
present state of environmental degradation is not the
consequence of any sudden or unforeseen
development, but is the cumulative result of
sustained neglect and administrative indifference.
Such a casual and lackadaisical approach to
environmental governance, particularly when it has
far-reaching implications for public health,
livelihoods and ecological balance, cannot be
countenanced.
42. The facts emerging from the record also reveal a
deeply troubling impact of environmental
degradation on essential public infrastructure,
resulting in direct and continuing hardship to the
local population. Instances have been documented
where vital community infrastructure has been
rendered unusable due to prolonged submergence
and contamination caused by effluent discharge. In
Villages Melba and Araba, Government School
buildings have remained submerged for extended
periods, leading to disruption of educational activities
and depriving children of access to basic schooling
47


facilities. Similarly, in Village Doli, an age-old well,
stated to be over 400 years old, has been completely
contaminated and rendered unfit for any use,
reflecting severe and irreversible groundwater
contamination. The destruction and impairment of
such critical infrastructure not only signify
environmental damage but also translates into
tangible social consequences, including disruption of
essential services, deterioration of living conditions
and erosion of basic human dignity. These instances
underscore that the environmental crisis has
transcended ecological boundaries and has directly
undermined the fundamental rights and welfare of
the affected communities.
43. The status report further reveals circumstances
which go beyond mere regulatory lapses, and point
towards active and deliberate acts of concealment
and cover up of environmental violations. It has been
specifically observed that at NH-62 (C-8 Bridge), soil
spreading and levelling of the riverbed had been
undertaken, with residents asserting that such
activity was carried out to conceal industrial
wastewater discharge and photographic material on
record also indicates that such measures were taken
48


immediately prior to inspection by the Committee. In
the same vein, the presence of freshly created earthen
bunds and layers of soil near Jerla Nalla suggests
conscious efforts to block and cover contaminated
flows, accumulated wastewater and sludge deposits,
with local residents stating that such activities were
carried out upon prior intimation of the Committee’s
visit. Further, clear tyre marks on the river bed at
Ambey Valley evidencing movement of heavy vehicles
without any ecological justification, thereby
indicating deliberate human intervention, in all
likelihood aimed at concealing traces of sludge and
effluent discharge at the time of inspection.
44. The aforesaid facts, taken together, disclose a
disturbing pattern of conduct intended to obscure the
true extent of environmental degradation and to
defeat the purpose of regulatory and judicial
oversight. Such acts cannot be brushed aside as
inadvertent or incidental. Rather, they reflect a
conscious attempt to manipulate ground realities
and present a sanitised picture before the Committee.
Conduct of this nature strikes at the very root of
transparency, erodes institutional accountability,
and undermines the rule of law, particularly in
49


matters concerning environmental protection,
thereby warranting the gravest concern and strictest
scrutiny by this Court.
45. This Court is also constrained to note the lack
of timely administrative support extended to the
Committee. Although an affidavit has since been filed
indicating the appointment of requisite staff,
including a dedicated Registrar-cum-Nodal Officer
and supporting personnel, it is evident that such
compliance has come after a delay of nearly three
st
months from the order dated 21 November, 2025. In
the context of an ongoing environmental crisis
requiring urgent and coordinated intervention, such
delay reflects a lack of seriousness and urgency on
the part of the State Government. The belated
response suggests a reactive, rather than proactive
approach and raises serious concerns regarding the
commitment of the State machinery to effectively
discharge its obligations and to assist the Committee
in the performance of its mandate. We hope that this
situation does not persist any longer.
46. The status report also brings to the fore an
anomalous and deeply disconcerting situation. On
the one hand, the data placed on record indicates
50


that several CETPs are operating below their installed
capacities, suggesting the existence of adequate or
even surplus treatment infrastructure. On the other
hand, the very same report, supported by field
inspections and empirical evidence, unequivocally
establishes that large volumes of industrial effluents
are being discharged directly into the river system
through drains, pipelines, tankers and other
unauthorised means, bypassing the treatment
facilities altogether. This incongruity cannot be
reconciled with any legitimate operational
explanation and points towards systemic evasion of
regulatory compliance by industrial units, coupled
with a failure of monitoring and enforcement by the
concerned authorities. The under-utilisation of
CETPs, when juxtaposed with the pervasive
discharge of untreated or partially treated effluents,
reflects not merely inefficiency but a collapse of the
regulatory and supervisory mechanisms meant to
ensure adherence to environmental standards. Such
a situation, where treatment infrastructure exists in
form but is effectively circumvented, defeats the very
purpose for which such facilities have been created
and underscores the urgent need for stringent
51


oversight, real-time monitoring and strict
enforcement of environmental norms.
47. It is in this backdrop that the recommendations
of the Committee assume considerable significance.
The suggestion that the State Government should
strengthen oversight of CETPs by designating a
dedicated nodal agency to ensure their proper
establishment, operation, financial management and
governance is aimed at addressing the evident
institutional vacuum and lack of accountability that
presently characterize the functioning of such
facilities. Equally important is the recommendation
that RSPCB should move away from the existing, and
evidently inadequate, method of estimating
wastewater discharge based on variables such as
fabric type, process and production, and instead
adopt a machinery-based system for accurate
determination of wastewater generation within a
time-bound framework. The present regime, which
relies on notional or estimated parameters, has
demonstrably failed to capture the actual extent of
discharge and has enabled circumvention by
industrial units. A transition to a more precise,
technology-driven and verifiable system of
52


assessment is essential to ensure transparency, real-
time monitoring and effective enforcement of
environmental standards. These measures, if
implemented in their true spirit, have the potential to
address the structural deficiencies that have allowed
persistent violations to continue unchecked and to
bring about a meaningful shift towards compliance
and environmental accountability.
48. It has been brought to the notice of this Court
that RIICO has allotted approximately 42,000 square
metres of land at Salawas for establishment of an
additional CETP infrastructure. However, despite
such allotment, no meaningful progress has been
achieved owing to the failure of the concerned Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to take requisite steps for
implementation. This is particularly disconcerting in
view of the fact that the State proposes to expend a
substantial sum of approximately Rs. 75 crores on
the said project. The continued inaction in
operationalizing such augmentation measures, in the
face of an existing deficit in treatment capacity and
ongoing environmental degradation, has a cascading
and deleterious impact by allowing the discharge of
untreated effluents to persist unabated. In such
53


circumstances, this Court is of the considered
opinion that RSPCB must take stringent action
against the defaulting member units, including
imposition of appropriate penalties in accordance
with the “Polluter Pays” principle, so as to ensure
accountability, compel compliance and prevent
further erosion of environmental safeguards. We
direct that a concrete action plan be placed on record
by the next date of hearing, failing which, this Court
shall be compelled to pass necessary directions
against all stakeholders including the State
Government, RSPCB, RIICO and the Special Purpose
Vehicle.
49. The inspection findings also bring to light the
extensive submergence of large areas of pasture land
and agricultural fields due to the continuous flow of
effluent-laden wastewater, leading to severe
degradation and, in many instances, near-total loss
of soil integrity. In Balotra, approximately 800
bighas of pasture land at Mandapura were found
submerged under contaminated water; in Jerla and
adjoining areas, vast stretches of land continue to
remain inundated due to the continuous discharge
through the Jerla Nalla; and in Pali, areas such as
54


Gadwada-Jaitpur and Chhapariya were reported to
have over 1000 bighas of agricultural land rendered
unproductive owing to prolonged waterlogging and
high salinity. Prolonged stagnation of such
contaminated water has resulted in salinization,
toxicity and erosion of the topsoil, rendering these
lands unfit for cultivation and impairing their long-
term regenerative capacity. The consequences of
such degradation extend beyond agriculture and
have had a profound impact on livestock, which
forms a critical component of the rural economy.
Cattle exposed to contaminated water and fodder
grown on polluted land are reported to have suffered
serious health complications, including infertility,
miscarriages, skin diseases and a decline in overall
vitality and productivity. The cumulative effect of
these conditions is the disruption of agrarian and
pastoral livelihoods, thereby deepening economic
distress and threatening the sustainability of
communities that are intrinsically dependent on land
and livestock for their survival.
50. In this context, the recommendation of the
Committee regarding a direction to the Department
of Water Resources, Government of Rajasthan, to
55


restore the natural flow path of the Jojari River
assumes critical importance. The material on record
indicates that the disruption and distortion of the
river’s natural course has significantly contributed to
stagnation of contaminated water and its consequent
spread into adjoining agricultural and pasture lands.
The further recommendation that treated municipal
sewage from Jodhpur ought not to be discharged into
the Jojari River, but be diverted for appropriate and
beneficial uses, is both necessary and in consonance
with settled principles of environmental
management. Such measures would also enable the
effective implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge
(ZLD) principles by ensuring that treated or
untreated wastewater does not flow into the river
system. Restoration of the original river channel
would enable accurate delineation of the natural
drainage system and facilitate scientific planning for
regulated flow, thereby preventing overflow,
waterlogging and lateral spread of effluent-laden
water. Accordingly, the aforesaid measures are
essential not only for arresting further environmental
degradation but also for mitigating the adverse
impact on soil, groundwater and livelihoods of the
56


affected population, and for ensuring long-term
recovery and ecological sustainability of the river
system.
51. The evidence emerging from the status report
further discloses that spot testing of water samples
has revealed abnormally high pH levels, indicative of
acute chemical contamination. The continued mixing
of such effluent-laden water with groundwater has
resulted in widespread degradation of aquifers,
rendering conventional sources of drinking water
unsafe and unfit for human consumption. As a
consequence, the availability of potable water in the
affected regions has become severely constrained,
compelling residents of nearby villages to depend
almost entirely on tanker-supplied water. Such
arrangements, however, have been found to be
irregular and insufficient to meet basic requirements,
thereby intensifying the hardship faced by the local
population. The situation, as it stands, transcends
environmental degradation and assumes the
character of a grave public health concern, directly
impinging upon the fundamental right of the affected
communities to access safe and adequate drinking
water. This Court in State of Karnataka v. State of
57


9
Andhra Pradesh , underscored the indispensable
role of water in sustaining life, civilization and
ecological balance. This exposition reinforces the
duty of the State to ensure that water bodies are
protected, maintained and restored in furtherance of
the right to life as guaranteed under Article 21 of the
Constitution of India. Recognising water as a prime
natural resource and a precious national asset, the
Court held as follows: -
“175. Water is a unique gift of nature which has
made the planet earth habitable. Life cannot be
sustained without water. In the National Water
Policy issued by the Government of India in
1987, it was declared that water is a prime
natural resource, a basic human need and a
precious national asset. Water, like air, is the
essence for human survival. The history of water
availability and its user is tied up with the history of
biologically evolution in all civilizations. It will not
be wrong to say that not only the life started in
water but rather water is life itself. It is essential
for mankind, animals, environment, flora and
fauna. There is no denial of the fact that in the
ancient times water played an important role in the
origin, development and growth of civilization all
over the globe. Water is an important factor in the
economic development of the countries which
ultimately affects the social and human relations
between the habitants. Planned development and
proper utilization of water resources can serve
both as a cause as well as an effect off the
prosperity of a nation. Water on earth is available

9
(2000) 9 SCC 572.
58


in the form of frozen snow, rivers lakes, springs,
water ways, waterfalls and aqueducts, etc.”
[Emphasis supplied]
52. In view of the aforesaid, it is incumbent upon
the State to ensure the availability of safe and potable
drinking water to the affected population. The right
to access clean drinking water is an integral facet of
the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of
India, and cannot be compromised on account of
administrative inaction or environmental neglect.
The State is, therefore, under a constitutional
obligation to take immediate and effective measures
to restore contaminated water sources, prevent
further pollution of groundwater, and make adequate
and sustainable arrangements for the supply of
potable water to the affected areas, so as to safeguard
public health and uphold the fundamental rights of
the residents.
53. It has been brought to the notice of this Court
that the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project (HRRL), a
Greenfield Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex
situated at Pachpadra in District Balotra, Rajasthan,
is a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation Limited (74%) and the Government of
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Rajasthan (26%). Having regard to the scale, capacity
and resources of the said project, this Court is of the
considered view that HPCL Rajasthan Refinery
Project can be asked to make utilization of its
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for
creation of appropriate treatment infrastructure in
the region. Such measures may include the
establishment of facilities for treatment of industrial
effluents and sewage, along with development of
systems for supply of treated water through pipelines
or storage in reservoirs for agricultural and industrial
use. The adoption of such initiatives would facilitate
reuse of treated water and contribute towards the
development of a Zero Liquid Discharge ecosystem,
thereby assisting in addressing the grave
environmental situation prevailing in the region.
54. We are of the firm opinion that the material on
record discloses a continuing and deeply entrenched
environmental crisis, arising from prolonged apathy,
regulatory failures, inadequate enforcement and
systemic deficiencies in infrastructure. The
magnitude of damage to the river system,
groundwater, soil and surrounding ecology, coupled
with its serious repercussions on public health and
60


livelihoods, necessitates immediate and decisive
intervention. The initiatives of the Committee have
brought to light serious systemic shortcomings in the
system and baby steps have been taken to address
the situation. The steps taken thus far, though
indicative of some movement, fall short of addressing
the scale of the problem. It is, therefore, imperative
that a comprehensive, coordinated and time-bound
framework is put in place to arrest further
degradation and to secure meaningful restoration of
the affected environment.
INTERIM DIRECTIONS AND FURTHER COURSE
OF ACTION
55. In the aforesaid circumstances, and having
regard to the findings recorded herein as well as the
recommendations of the High-Level Ecosystem
Oversight Committee, this Court deems it necessary
to issue the following interim directions to ensure
strict compliance with environmental norms,
strengthen institutional accountability, and facilitate
effective restoration and rejuvenation of the river
system: -
A. The concerned departments and RIICO shall
forthwith and in consultation with the
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Committee, take effective and immediate steps
for the commencement and expeditious
completion of the CETP project at Salawas, for
which approximately 42,000 square metres of
land already stands allotted. In the event of any
delay, obstruction, or lack of cooperation by the
concerned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or its
constituent units, the RSPCB shall initiate
stringent coercive measures, including the
imposition of environmental compensation in
accordance with the “Polluter Pays” principle.
The Committee may also direct RSPCB to take
such further action as may be necessary to
ensure accountability, compel compliance, and
prevent further environmental degradation, and
to place on record a concrete, time-bound action
plan before this Court by the next date of
hearing, failing which appropriate directions
shall be passed against all concerned
stakeholders.
B. The Principal Secretaries of the Departments of
Water Resources, Local Self-Government, and
Urban Development and Housing of the
Government of Rajasthan, along with the
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Chairperson, RSPCB, shall henceforth actively
participate in the proceedings of the Committee
to facilitate effective decision-making, inter-
departmental coordination and accountability
at the highest level.
C. The State Government, RIICO and RUIDP shall
ensure that all requisite steps are taken for
timely completion of the additional effluent
conveyance system of 23 km length, at a project
cost of Rs. 23.81 crore, within the stipulated
th
timeline, i.e., by 11 May, 2026. Any delay shall
be viewed seriously, and responsibility shall be
fixed upon the concerned officers.
D. A senior officer not below the rank of Director
from the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project
(HRRL) shall be nominated to participate in
consultations with the Committee, with a view
to meaningfully explore the utilisation of its
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for
creation of adequate treatment infrastructure
for industrial effluents and sewage in the region.
Such engagement shall also extend to
examining the feasibility of developing systems
for supply of treated water through pipelines or
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storage in reservoirs for agricultural and
industrial purposes, so as to promote reuse of
treated water and contribute towards the
establishment of a Zero Liquid Discharge
ecosystem.
E. The State Government, in consultation with the
Committee, shall designate a nodal agency to
strengthen institutional oversight of CETPs,
ensuring their proper establishment, efficient
operation, financial transparency and
accountable governance so that prescribed
environmental standards are consistently
achieved.
F. RSPCB shall ensure that no fresh Consent to
Establish or Consent to Operate is granted for
the establishment or operation of any
hazardous or obnoxious industry along the
riverbanks. RSPCB shall further ensure strict
adherence to the prescribed norms relating to
minimum distance from the high flood line and
the mandatory buffer zones of the river, as
stipulated under the applicable rules and
guidelines. Any deviation from such norms shall
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be viewed seriously and shall invite appropriate
regulatory action in accordance with law.
G. The RSPCB, in consultation with the
Committee, shall develop and implement a
robust, machinery-based and technology-driven
system for accurate determination of
wastewater generation, replacing the existing
estimation-based methodology, within a period
of two months, so as to ensure transparency
and prevent evasion.
H. The concerned departments of the Government
of Rajasthan as well as the municipal
authorities/local bodies shall take strict and
immediate enforcement action against
industries engaged in illegal transportation and
discharge of industrial effluents through
tankers. Such tankers shall be seized without
delay, prosecution shall be initiated against
violators, and the concerned District
Magistrates/empowered authorities shall
exercise powers for confiscation of such vehicles
in accordance with law.
I. The concerned authorities shall adopt stringent
enforcement measures against all violators,
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including recovery of environmental
compensation, suspension or cancellation of
Consent to Operate, and disconnection of
electricity and water supply. Illegal industries
operating on agricultural or residential land
shall be immediately closed or seized, and steps
shall be taken to restore such land to its original
use. Proceedings for resumption of Khatedari
rights shall be initiated and concluded
expeditiously, and appropriate prosecution
shall be undertaken.
J. Any CETP, along with all units connected
thereto, and any individual industrial unit
operating its own Effluent Treatment Plant
(ETP), if found violating prescribed pollution
control norms or discharging untreated or
partially treated effluents, shall be forthwith
ordered to be closed. RSPCB and/or the
concerned authorities shall levy appropriate
environmental compensation and initiate
prosecution in accordance with law. Such
closure shall remain in force until full
compliance is established to the satisfaction of
the competent authority, and in the event of any
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repeat violation, such unit or CETP, along with
all connected units, shall not be permitted to
resume operations without obtaining prior leave
of this Court.

K. All discharge points of industrial effluents and
sewage into the river systems, whether treated
or untreated, including those through drains,
pipelines, stormwater channels, tanker-based
disposal and points of confluence, as identified
in the exercise conducted pursuant to the
directions of this Court, shall be forthwith
sealed, intercepted or otherwise effectively
regulated to ensure that no untreated or non-
compliant discharge enters the rivers or
drainage network. RSPCB, in coordination with
RIICO and the concerned municipal
authorities/local bodies, shall take immediate
and stringent action against all defaulting units
in accordance with law.
L. All concerned departments of the State of
Rajasthan and municipal authorities/local
bodies shall, in consultation with the
Committee, in the first instance, undertake a
comprehensive and scientific mapping of the
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original and existing flow path of the Jojari
River, including identification of obstructions,
diversions and encroachments, and thereafter
take coordinated and time-bound steps for
restoration of its natural course. Such
restoration shall be carried out in a cohesive
manner so as to ensure proper hydrological
flow, prevent stagnation, waterlogging and
lateral spread of contaminated water, and
safeguard adjoining agricultural and pasture
lands from further degradation.
M. The joint committee constituted pursuant to the
th
final order dated 25 February, 2022 passed by
the NGT, comprising officials from Central
Pollution Control Board, RSPCB and Central
Ground Water Agency and the District
Magistrates of Barmer and Jodhpur shall be
appropriately reconstituted to ensure effective
planning and execution of remediation and
restoration measures, and in addition to the
existing members, shall include the District
Collectors of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra; the
Principal Secretary, Department of Water
Resources, Government of Rajasthan; and a
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domain expert to be suggested by the
Chairperson of the Committee appointed by this
Court. The reconstituted joint committee shall
function in coordination with the Committee
appointed by this Court and shall proceed to
finalise and implement a comprehensive action
plan within a stipulated timeframe. Periodic
progress reports shall be placed before this
Court.
N. The local bodies of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra, in
coordination with RIICO, Department of
Industries and the Committee, shall, within a
period of three months, develop a structured
and regulated rehabilitation or relocation
model, with adequate infrastructure, for
artisans engaged in tie-and-dye textile
activities.
O. The State of Rajasthan, its instrumentalities
and all concerned authorities, in consultation
with the Committee, shall undertake effective,
coordinated and time-bound measures to
ensure that all industrial and municipal
treatment infrastructure is upgraded, operated
and maintained in strict conformity with Zero
69


Liquid Discharge principles. This shall include
adoption of appropriate technologies,
strengthening of monitoring mechanisms and
ensuring complete reuse or safe disposal of
treated effluents, so that no treated or partially
treated wastewater is discharged into the river
system under any circumstances.
P. The State of Rajasthan shall, forthwith and in
consultation with the Committee, constitute a
Multi-Disciplinary Expert Assessment Panel to
undertake a comprehensive, scientific and time-
bound assessment of the environmental,
ecological and socio-economic impacts arising
from the ongoing environmental degradation.
The scope of such assessment shall include,
inter alia , scientific analysis of groundwater and
soil contamination; epidemiological studies on
human health; veterinary and livestock health
assessments, particularly in relation to
productivity, fertility, and disease patterns;
biodiversity loss, contamination of food and
dairy products, as well as agricultural and
livelihood losses. The Panel shall also estimate
the cost of remediation and formulate a
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scientifically sound and legally enforceable
framework for compensation to affected
populations.
Q. The State of Rajasthan, in consultation with the
RSPCB and the Committee, shall examine the
feasibility of establishing a dedicated
environmental restoration and compensation
fund, and shall take appropriate steps for
transfer of compensation amounts collected by
CPCB, RSPCB and RIICO pursuant to earlier
directions, for utilisation towards
environmental restoration and compensation to
affected persons.
R. The State Government and RSPCB shall identify
and fix responsibility upon erring officers and
authorities found to be negligent, complicit or in
dereliction of duty in permitting illegal
discharge or non-compliance, and shall initiate
appropriate disciplinary proceedings in
accordance with law against such officials.
S. The State Government shall ensure the
immediate, adequate and sustainable provision
of potable drinking water to all affected villages
through reliable and long-term mechanisms.
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The State shall, in particular, move away from
ad-hoc and intermittent tanker-based
arrangements and develop durable
infrastructure-based solutions to secure
uninterrupted access to safe drinking water, so
as to effectively safeguard public health,
preserve human dignity and uphold the
fundamental rights of the affected population.
T. The material placed before this Court
unequivocally demonstrates that mere issuance
of warnings and regulatory directions has failed
to yield the desired results, as is evident from
the persistent and recurring violations borne
out by the empirical data on record. In such
circumstances, it is imperative that
persons/units/entities responsible for such
grave environmental violations are dealt with
firmly and effectively in accordance with law,
including through prosecution and imposition
of appropriate penalties. Having regard to the
scale, frequency and continuing nature of such
violations, this Court is of the considered view
that the establishment of Special Courts in the
districts of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra has
72


become necessary to ensure expeditious
adjudication of cases registered in pursuance of
the directions issued by this Court. Accordingly,
the Rajasthan High Court is requested to take
appropriate steps for constitution of such
Special Courts. The State Government shall
provide all requisite logistical, infrastructural
and administrative support, including
augmentation of cadre strength, as may be
required in consultation with the High Court, to
ensure the effective establishment and
functioning of such Special Courts.
56. The directions issued hereinabove are of an
interim nature and are in continuation of, as well as
supplemental to, the directions already issued by this
st
Court vide order dated 21 November, 2025. These
directions are not to be construed as mere regulatory
or administrative measures, but as emanating from
the constitutional mandate of this Court to secure
and enforce the fundamental right to life under
Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which includes
the right to access clean water, a pollution-free
environment and conditions that uphold human
73


dignity. The continued degradation of the river
system, along with its adverse impact on soil,
groundwater and public health, constitutes a serious
infraction of these constitutionally protected rights. It
is, therefore, essential that the directions now issued,
together with those contained in the earlier order, are
implemented with due seriousness, promptitude and
a high degree of institutional accountability. The
State of Rajasthan, its instrumentalities and all
concerned authorities must act with the urgency and
commitment that such constitutional obligations
warrant, so as to restore ecological balance and
protect the rights and well-being of both present and
future generations.
57. The High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee
shall, on or before the next date of hearing, submit a
further status report to this Court indicating the
extent of compliance with the directions issued
hereinabove, as well as those contained in this
st
Court’s order dated 21 November, 2025, barring
those directions which have already been fully
complied with, and the directions issued by the
st
Committee vide its resolution dated 31 January,
2026. The status report shall specifically delineate
74


the steps taken by the State of Rajasthan and all
concerned authorities, the progress achieved in
implementation, the deficiencies, if any, that
continue to persist, and the further measures
proposed to ensure full and effective compliance. The
status report shall be placed on record at least one
week in advance so as to enable meaningful
consideration by this Court.
58. In the event the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight
Committee requires any further logistical,
administrative or technical support for the effective
discharge of its mandate, the same shall be promptly
attended to by the State of Rajasthan. The State
Government shall ensure that all such requirements
are addressed appropriately and expeditiously,
without any delay or impediment, so as to facilitate
the smooth and efficient functioning of the
Committee and to enable it to carry out its
responsibilities in furtherance of the directions
issued by this Court.
59. The Registry shall forward a copy of this order
to the Committee at the email address:
hleoc.jojaririver@gov.in ; Registrar General, High
Court of Judicature for Rajasthan; and Mr. Shiv
75


Mangal Sharma, learned Additional Advocate
General for the State of Rajasthan.
60. The learned Additional Advocate General for the
State of Rajasthan shall, upon receipt, communicate
a copy of this order to all the concerned
authorities/Corporations as well as to the concerned
official/s of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project (HRRL)
situated at Pachpadra in District Balotra, Rajasthan.
st
61. List on 21 July, 2026 for receiving the further
status report of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight
Committee.

….……………………J.
(VIKRAM NATH)


...…………………….J.
(SANDEEP MEHTA)
NEW DELHI;
MARCH 18, 2026.


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