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Rajasthan Rivers Choked by Toxic Industrial Waste
28 Oct
Summary
- Industrial effluents poison Jojari, Luni, and Bandi rivers.
- Supreme Court orders ban on construction near polluted rivers.
- State officials accused of collusion with polluters.
The Rajasthan government faces severe criticism from the Supreme Court for its failure to curb industrial effluent pollution in the Jojari, Luni, and Bandi rivers. This long-standing issue, highlighted by a public interest litigation in 2011, indicates systemic neglect. These seasonal rivers in the arid western region, vital for approximately 20 lakh residents, are contaminated by untreated waste from textile and steel industries, compounded by illegal sand mining.
In 2025, the Supreme Court initiated a suo motu petition and formed an oversight committee. Based on its reports, the court banned construction within 100 meters and hazardous industries within 500 meters of the rivers. The court also rebuked authorities for not enforcing pollution norms, noting their past actions hindered penalties. Concerns over collusion between officials and industrial mafias are serious, with the state potentially liable under the 'polluter pays' principle for its negligence.
