Rajasthan Supreme Court Orders Revival of Polluted Rivers

• The Supreme Court has proposed a 20-point action plan to revive Rajasthan's polluted rivers.
• The plan emphasizes institutional accountability and suggests a self-sustaining regulatory mechanism.
• The State is directed to expedite pending approvals for Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).
• Industries discharging over 100 KLD must achieve zero liquid discharge to avoid environmental liabilities.

The proposed framework emphasizes the importance of institutional accountability and suggests that the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan head a Special Task Force to prepare an action plan within three weeks.

The Supreme Court has taken a stern stance on the pollution of three major rivers in Rajasthan, Jojari, Luni, and Bandi. The Court's concerns are not new, but its latest proposal for a 20-point action plan aims to establish a self-sustaining regulatory mechanism that can effectively monitor and control industrial pollution without continuous judicial intervention. This move is significant, as it acknowledges the complexity of the issue and the need for a more comprehensive approach. The proposed framework emphasizes the importance of institutional accountability and suggests that the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan head a Special Task Force to prepare an action plan within three weeks.

The concentration of textile industries along the riverbank has made pollution control extremely difficult in Pali. The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over this issue, observing that the current mechanism is inadequate to address the problem. Justice Sandeep Mehta remarked, 'One person puts a small outlet, how are you going to control it?' This highlights the need for a more effective and proactive approach to pollution control. The Court's suggestion to shift the industrial area away from the riverbank in the long term could be a viable solution, not only protecting the rivers but also facilitating planned urban development.

The Supreme Court has directed the State to expedite pending approvals for Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), particularly for industries discharging more than 100 KLD. This is a crucial step towards achieving zero liquid discharge and preventing further environmental degradation. The Court's emphasis on processing applications from smaller industries without delay ensures that no industry is left behind in this effort. By prioritizing ETP approvals, the State can take a significant step towards restoring the health of the polluted rivers.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential impact of this order on industries operating in Rajasthan, particularly those discharging over 100 KLD, as they may need to expedite ETP approvals and implement zero liquid discharge measures to avoid environmental liabilities.

Source: Original reporting via Supreme Court Proposes 20-Point Plan To Revive Rajasthan's Polluted Rivers, Seeks Permanent Solution