Review of compliance with Supreme Court directions; Chief Secretary directs departments to prepare action plans and ensure time-bound and long-term measures.
Jaipur, September 2026 : Chief Secretary Shri V. Srinivas said that the State Government and administration are extremely serious about addressing the issue of pollution in the Jojari River. He said that all departments should adopt a serious and positive approach and, in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court, promptly prepare department-wise action plans and ensure effective and time-bound action.
The Chief Secretary was addressing a meeting of the Integrated Coordination Group (ICG) constituted in connection with the Jojari River pollution case at the Government Secretariat on Tuesday. He said that the objective of the action plan should not be limited to providing an immediate solution, but should be to ensure sustained improvement in the environmental condition of the Jojari River area. The meeting reviewed the progress in compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court in this regard.
The Chief Secretary directed that prompt and effective action be taken to investigate and prevent the discharge of untreated polluted water. He directed that proper monitoring be ensured of the status of sewage treatment plants in the concerned area, their operational efficiency, and the quality of treated water. He directed the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation and the Jodhpur Development Authority to improve the drainage system in the area and pay special attention to its proper operation and maintenance.
He directed the Agriculture Department to send an expert team to the affected area for scientific assessment of soil quality, assess the impact on crops, and undertake long-term corrective measures as required. It was also directed that the changes in the crop pattern in the area caused by pollution and its impact on agricultural land be studied and an action plan prepared accordingly.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to assess the condition of the large quantity of waste and vegetation present in the concerned forest areas and take necessary action. The Health Department was directed to ensure necessary screening and health monitoring in view of complaints related to serious diseases, including breast cancer, in the area.
The PHED and Groundwater Department were directed to regularly monitor the quality of groundwater and drinking water and install additional piezometers in the area. The DoIT Department was directed to promptly develop and operationalise a dedicated portal for the registration, disposal and monitoring of complaints related to the Jojari River area.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the cases registered by the SIT in this regard and directed the police to take action against those responsible.
Chairperson of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Smt. Aparna Arora, presented information on the status of the Jojari River area, pollution-related data and the action taken so far. In this regard, officers also provided suggestions to make the action plan more practical, effective and long-term.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, Shri Abhay Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Industries and RIICO Chairman, Shri Shikhar Agrawal; Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment, Shri Anand Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Shri Bhaskar A. Sawant; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri Arijit Banerjee; and Director General of Police, Law and Order, Shri Sanjay Agrawal, along with senior officers of other concerned departments. Jodhpur Collector Shri Alok Ranjan and Balotra Collector Shri Sushil Kumar joined the meeting through video conferencing.
