Supreme Court Orders Formation of Coordination Group to Address Industrial Pollution in Rajasthan Rivers
In a significant move to combat industrial pollution, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Rajasthan government to establish an Integrated Coordination Group. This group is tasked with the coordination of efforts to address the pollution of river systems within the state. The decision was made during a hearing on a suo motu case concerning the environmental degradation of rivers, including the Jojari River, as documented in the case In Re: 2 Million Lives At Risk, Contamination In Jojari River, Rajasthan.
The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, emphasized that the complex nature of the environmental issues necessitates a coordinated and multidisciplinary response. The court highlighted that fragmented efforts by various departments have been insufficient in tackling the problem effectively.
The newly formed coordination group will be under the leadership of Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary, Voruganti Srinivas. It will include senior officials from different government departments, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB), other statutory bodies, and environmental experts. This group will collaborate with the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee to draft a Comprehensive Resolution Plan. The plan is expected within three weeks and should outline specific measures, assign responsibilities, and set milestones and timelines for pollution control and ecological restoration.
Independent River Commission Proposed
Furthermore, the court has instructed the Rajasthan government to establish an independent River Commission or River Rejuvenation Authority. This body will focus on the conservation, rejuvenation, and integrated management of rivers, river basins, and catchment areas throughout the state. Until further notice, this authority will operate under the Chief Secretary’s leadership.
The suo motu case was initiated following a documentary titled “2 Million Lives at Risk | India’s Deadliest River | Jojari, Rajasthan,” which revealed critical pollution levels in the Jodhpur, Pali, and Barmer districts. In November 2025, the court revived the National Green Tribunal’s 2022 directives for cleaning the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni rivers, and appointed a High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee, led by former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Sangeet Lodha.
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Ongoing Monitoring and Additional Directives
The court has been actively monitoring the issue with the Committee’s assistance. Reports of pollution, such as a pond near the Jojari River turning pink due to suspected industrial waste, prompted the court to demand action from the state government. The latest order also calls for the scientific demarcation of High Flood Lines and ecological buffer zones for Rajasthan’s river systems, prohibiting new development in these areas until the process is completed.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating river pollution has been instructed to intensify its efforts and scrutinize the involvement of public servants, industrial units, and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). The court expressed concerns over the lack of action against RSPCB officers, urging the state to provide detailed reports on any actions taken within three days.
Moreover, the state is to develop a QR Code-based public reporting system for environmental grievances, allowing citizens to report violations with photographs, videos, and geo-tagged data. The feasibility of an incentive scheme for credible information leading to the detection of severe environmental violations should also be considered, ensuring confidentiality for informants.
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The Chief Secretary is tasked with ensuring compliance and coordination between government departments. The court plans to assess the effectiveness of these measures for the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river ecosystem before potentially applying the framework to other river systems in Rajasthan. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 22, where the Comprehensive Resolution Plan will be reviewed.
The court has also directed the Registry to send a copy of the order to Justice Sangeet Lodha and Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma for necessary compliance.
