Supreme Court forms coordination groups to tackle industrial pollution of Rajasthan water bodies

The Supreme Court on Friday issued directions for the constitution of two Integrated Coordination Groups and a separate body for the restoration of polluted water bodies in Rajasthan [In Re: 2 Million Lives At Risk, Contamination In Jojari River, Rajasthan].

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while dealing with a suo motu case concerning the industrial pollution of rivers in Rajasthan, including the Jojari River.

"We have given certain directions for the formation of two Integrated Coordination Groups and one body for the restoration of rivers. The directions will be contained in the order," Justice Mehta said.

The coordination groups will work with a High-Powered Committee set up on the Court's earlier orders to prepare a comprehensive resolution plan. The Court has called for this plan to be submitted by September 22, when the matter will be heard next

"The matter is listed again on September 22 for consideration of a comprehensive resolution plan to be submitted by the Integrated Coordination Group in consultation with the Committee," the Court said.

The Court added that its order will be sent to Rajasthan's Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma and to the High-Powered Committee overseeing efforts to clean-up water bodies in the State.

The suo motu case arose after a documentary, "2 Million Lives at Risk | India's Deadliest River | Jojari, Rajasthan," exposed severe contamination in Jodhpur, Pali and Barmer districts.

In November 2025, the Court revived the National Green Tribunal's 2022 clean-up directions for the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers and set up a High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee headed by former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Sangeet Lodha.

In July this year, the Court flagged reports of pollution across the State, including a pond near the Jojari turning pink from suspected industrial waste and unauthorised industrial units operating in Jaipur's Sanganer-Dravyavati-Nevta belt.

The Court noted that these reports pointed to a possible systemic failure and had directed Rajasthan to invoke serious criminal provisions against polluters.

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