Jaipur: The Supreme Court has directed the Rajasthan government and concerned authorities to strengthen action against industrial pollution affecting the Bandi, Luni and Jojari rivers. The directions include removing illegal wastewater discharge points, investigating unauthorised industrial units, recovering environmental compensation and preventing illegal mining.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the directions to address pollution and related violations affecting the three river systems. The court noted that the problem involves several issues, including inadequate effluent treatment capacity, illegal industrial operations, land-use violations and gaps in monitoring.
Illegal Discharge Points to Be Removed
The court directed authorities to immediately seal or remove identified illegal discharge points, bypass arrangements, manholes, chambers, pipelines and drains. It clarified that officials should not wait for the completion of a detailed survey before acting on the locations already identified for removal.
The authorities must submit an Action Taken Report every 15 days to document progress in implementing the directions.
Investigation into Unauthorised Industries
The Supreme Court ordered a comprehensive investigation into industrial units allegedly operating illegally on residential and agricultural land. Authorities have been directed to examine land-use violations and related activities, including financial transactions, job-work arrangements, raw material supplies, transportation networks and the beneficiaries of such operations.
Depending on the findings and applicable law, officials must initiate proceedings over revenue and land-use violations, remove or seize machinery where warranted, restore affected land and pursue legal action.
Environmental Compensation and Monitoring
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has been directed to assess and recover environmental compensation from responsible industrial units and individuals for the periods during which violations occurred.
The Board must report the compensation assessed, the amount recovered and the outstanding balance.
The court also directed the state to establish a permanent monitoring mechanism in every district. The mechanism will involve the Pollution Control Board, district administrations, police, revenue and transport departments, local bodies and other relevant agencies.
Regular inspections, designated nodal officers and timely action against violations are among the measures intended to strengthen enforcement.
Effluent Treatment Infrastructure to Be Reviewed
The directions also require time-bound decisions on proposals to expand existing Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), establish new facilities and upgrade industrial units’ Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to Zero Liquid Discharge systems.
These measures are aimed at improving industrial wastewater management and preventing untreated effluents from entering the rivers.
Action Against Illegal Sand and Gravel Mining
The court has also called for immediate action against illegal gravel and sand mining that damages riverbeds and banks or disrupts natural water flows.
Officials have been instructed to submit details of mining areas, leases, extracted quantities and mining depths to the High-Powered Ecosystem Oversight Committee by October 15.
The directions seek to strengthen accountability and enforcement against industrial pollution, unauthorised operations and illegal mining, while establishing a continuing framework to protect Rajasthan’s river ecosystems.
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