SC directs Rajasthan to set up coordination group, river commission to restore polluted rivers
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) directed the Rajasthan government to constitute, within seven days, an integrated coordination group headed by the Chief
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) directed the Rajasthan government to constitute, within seven days, an integrated coordination group headed by the Chief Secretary to implement its directions for restoring the Jojari, Bandi and Luni river system. It also ordered the creation of a river commission to oversee the conservation of rivers across the State. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that material placed before the court by various stakeholders revealed severe degradation of the riverine ecosystem and illegal discharge of industrial effluents, warranting immediate intervention and a coordinated institutional response. “The State of Rajasthan shall, within a period of seven days, constitute an ‘Integrated Coordination Group’ headed by the Chief Secretary,” the Bench ordered, adding that the group could include senior government officials, pollution control authorities and other experts. The directions came in a suo motu proceeding initiated in September 2025 after the Apex Court took cognisance of reports of extensive pollution in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers flowing through Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra districts, respectively. The court subsequently constituted a high-level committee headed by former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Sangeet Lodha to prepare a time-bound restoration plan for the river system.
The Bench directed the coordination group to consult the high-level committee and prepare a resolution plan within three weeks of its constitution, setting out responsibilities, targets and timelines. It also asked the group to use technologies such as satellite mapping and AI-based surveillance for environmental monitoring and enforcement. “In our opinion, such an integrated roadmap would provide the necessary administrative coherence and institutional continuity for addressing the environmental concerns which have engaged the attention of this court and would considerably strengthen the implementation of the measures envisaged in these proceedings,” the Bench said. ‘Public reporting system’ Devising a mechanism for public reporting of environmental violations, the court directed the State government to establish a QR code-based digital platform through which people can flag violations. The QR codes are to be displayed on the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) website and at industrial areas, effluent treatment plants and other public spaces. “The platform shall enable any person having credible information to report instances of illegal discharge of industrial effluents, unauthorised operation of industrial units, illegal extraction of groundwater, encroachments upon riverbeds, illegal dumping of hazardous waste, destruction of wildlife habitats and any other environmental violations by uploading photographs, videos, geo-tagged information or such other electronic material as may be necessary,” the Bench said.
The BriefWire