Rajasthan Court Orders Cement Factory Probe Amid Pollution Fears

The Rajasthan High Court's principal bench in Jodhpur has issued a directive for a thorough environmental inspection of Durga Cement Pvt Ltd in Sirohi district. This action stems from allegations of widespread environmental violations surrounding the factory's operations in Bharja village.

A technical expert team is to be constituted by the State Pollution Control Board to investigate claims of large-scale ecological damage. The court mandated the collection of crucial samples, including soil and groundwater, along with a detailed site examination.

This inspection is scheduled with a comprehensive report to be submitted by April 27. The court has also imposed an order to maintain the status quo at the factory site, prohibiting any interference with alleged waste materials.

Petitioners presented evidence, such as contaminated water samples and photographs of alleged waste dumping, to the court. These submissions indicated that the factory's pollution has adversely affected residents and an adjacent educational institution. Concerns have been raised regarding the contamination of groundwater, rendering it unfit for consumption and posing a public health risk.

The court acknowledged the prima facie validity of these allegations, noting that visual evidence appears to support claims of unregulated waste disposal. The potential environmental hazard and groundwater contamination elevate this matter to one of grave public concern, requiring urgent judicial intervention.

Local authorities, including the district collector and superintendent of police in Sirohi, have been instructed to ensure the preservation of existing conditions and prevent further dumping of hazardous material to facilitate a fair inquiry.