The Supreme Court criticized Rajasthan officials for delays in tackling pollution in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers, saying public infrastructure has suffered due to administrative inaction. The Court also noted factories operating without permission and will review the matter again on March 17.
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday expressed serious concern over large-scale damage to public infrastructure caused by prolonged administrative inaction in Rajasthan, while hearing a matter related to the contamination of three major rivers in the State.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made strong observations regarding the failure of authorities to address pollution in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers. The Court said that delays and negligence by government officers had allowed environmental damage to continue for years.
The case is being heard by the Court as a suo motu matter relating to pollution in the Jojari river. During earlier hearings, the Court had also taken note of similar contamination affecting the Bandi and Luni rivers in Rajasthan, raising concerns about the broader ecological impact on the region.
The Supreme Court had earlier passed an order in November last year constituting a high-level ecosystem oversight committee. The purpose of this committee was to examine the root causes of the river pollution, monitor corrective measures, and suggest long-term solutions to restore the damaged river systems.
While hearing the case on Tuesday, the Bench noted that the committee had already submitted its interim report to the Court. The report outlines several findings, including the actions taken so far, recommendations for improving the situation, and the difficulties faced by the committee in carrying out its work.
During the proceedings, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the support provided by the Rajasthan government to the oversight committee. The Bench told the State’s counsel that the authorities had failed to provide the necessary logistical assistance required for the committee to effectively perform its duties.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the Court remarked,
“Immense public infrastructure is damaged and destroyed because the officers were dragging their feet,”
indicating that delays by officials had contributed significantly to the environmental degradation. The Bench also noted that several industrial units were functioning without proper authorization, further worsening the pollution problem.
In response, the counsel appearing for the State of Rajasthan assured the Court that the concerns raised by the committee regarding logistical support would be addressed promptly. The State government told the Court that steps would be taken to provide adequate facilities and cooperation to the committee before the next hearing.
The Court also recorded that the interim report submitted by the oversight committee had been divided into multiple sections. These sections describe the measures already taken by authorities, recommendations for future action, and the practical challenges faced by the committee while completing the tasks assigned to it.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for March 17, when it is expected to review further progress and the State’s compliance with the committee’s recommendations.
In its earlier order passed in November last year, the apex court had already highlighted the severity of the situation. It observed that pollution in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers showed a prolonged failure of regulatory mechanisms and administrative oversight.
The Court had stated,
“The present proceedings involve issues of grave concern and disastrous consequences, as a fallout of apathy at all levels which has virtually put the lives of two million people, animals and the ecosystem of three important rivers in western Rajasthan at peril,”
emphasizing the serious environmental and public health risks posed by the contamination.
The Bench had also explained the geographical importance of these rivers. The Jojari river flows through Jodhpur, the Bandi river passes through the district of Pali, and the Luni river flows through Balotra. The Bandi and Jojari rivers eventually merge into the Luni river near Balotra city, making the entire river system interconnected and vulnerable to pollution spreading across regions.
Recognizing the urgent need for long-term environmental restoration, the Court had directed the oversight committee to prepare a comprehensive scientific plan for the revival of the rivers. The committee has been tasked with developing a detailed and time-bound restoration blueprint that would help clean the polluted rivers and prevent further damage to the ecosystem in western Rajasthan.
The case continues to highlight growing judicial scrutiny over environmental governance in India, particularly in situations where regulatory failure and administrative delays have caused large-scale ecological damage and affected the lives of local communities.
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