A high-level committee appointed by the Supreme Court has criticized the Rajasthan government for its “meek surrender” to “appalling” industrial pollution that has turned the Gujari-Loni-Pandi river system into a toxic mix of sludge, untreated effluent and municipal waste.
In its maiden report submitted earlier this month, the nine-member committee pointed to widespread regulatory failure, stating that industrial units in Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra — many of which are located in areas developed by the Rajasthan Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Limited (RIICO), were “bargaining” in violation of environmental norms and discharging hazardous waste directly into the river system.
The committee, headed by former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Sanjit Lodha, said the consequences of unchecked pollution were “catastrophic”, ranging from groundwater contamination and vegetation destruction to crop loss, diseases among livestock, and serious health risks to millions of residents.
“The scenes of submerged land over kilometers reflect the meek submission of all concerned authorities to the appalling acts of discharge of effluent-laden wastewater… by a handful of people,” the report noted, adding that vast tracts of land had been virtually “destroyed” by illegal disposal of industrial waste, including through tanker transport.
The committee, which conducted field visits across the affected areas, recorded multiple instances of untreated sewage and industrial effluents being channeled through stormwater drains in RIICO industrial areas. It also identified illegal drainage points and found public infrastructure, including schools, health center and panchayat building, submerged and rendered unusable due to logging with toxic water.
The committee described the extent of the damage as “extremely catastrophic” and warned that environmental degradation was causing long-term harm to communities living in and around the affected areas.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, hearing the matter, reserved the orders on March 18 after considering the panel’s recommendations, backed by photographic evidence of widespread environmental damage caused by the flooding of the river system laden with effluent.
The report stressed that pollution continues “unabated,” calling for immediate and strict enforcement measures. She noted that Balotra alone has nearly 1,000 textile units, followed by over 500 in Bali, while Jodhpur has over 300 textile units and 80 steel units – many of which were found disposing of untreated waste into rivers, fields and surrounding areas.
Of particular concern is the case of the Renaissance Dam on the Bande River, which was originally built to store fresh water. The committee said the reservoir has now turned into an “artificial drain”, creating a “nightmare” for nearby villages and causing “catastrophic impacts” on the local ecosystem and population.
Pollution has seeped into groundwater, with farmers reporting that wells are now producing “salty colored water” that is destroying crops rather than preserving them. Water samples collected from the three areas failed to meet the lowest quality standard, Class E, intended for irrigation and industrial use.
Residents told the committee that untreated sewage and industrial effluent are routinely pumped into agricultural fields for irrigation purposes, leading to soil degradation and long-term loss of productivity. They claimed the effect extended to livestock as well, with reports of infertility, miscarriages and skin diseases among livestock exposed to contaminated water and feed.
The committee also noted serious deficiencies in combined effluent treatment plants (CETPs), many of which were found to be operating below capacity or discharging only partially treated waste. It has also been found that many industries operate without mandatory environmental approvals.
“These systemic failures have led to severe and cumulative environmental degradation, widespread losses in agriculture and livestock, groundwater contamination, and significant damage to social and public infrastructure,” the report said, warning of the potential contamination of drinking water pipelines passing through contaminated areas.
Among its key recommendations, the committee called for stricter oversight of CETPs, immediate closure of illegal industrial units, and stringent enforcement by the State Pollution Control Board, including disconnection of facilities for non-compliance. It also urged the confiscation of tankers used for illegal dumping of waste and the suppression of industries operating in residential and agricultural areas.
The committee also proposed the establishment of a multidisciplinary expert committee to conduct a comprehensive and time-bound assessment of the impact of pollution on health, environment, livestock and agriculture, and to develop a framework for compensation to affected populations.
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the case in September 2025 after media reports highlighted the alarming pollution of the Gujari River, a lifeline for around two million people. She then constituted the committee in November and directed that a time-bound scheme be prepared for the restoration and renewal of the entire river system.
Evaluation mission
