Rajasthan High Court Flags 'Gross Negligence' In Restoring Ramgarh Lake Near Jaipur, Directs Action Against Encroachments
The Rajasthan High Court has observed that there has been "gross negligence" on the part of the administration in restoring Ramgarh Lake, the main water resource for Jaipur and nearby districts, while hearing a batch of public interest litigations concerning the protection of rivers, lakes and water bodies. The bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Bhuwan Goyal...
The Rajasthan High Court has observed that there has been "gross negligence" on the part of the administration in restoring Ramgarh Lake, the main water resource for Jaipur and nearby districts, while hearing a batch of public interest litigations concerning the protection of rivers, lakes and water bodies.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Bhuwan Goyal directed the State to take steps against encroachments and remove obstructions affecting the flow of water into the lake. It observed,
"We find that there has been gross negligence on the part of the administration in restoring the main water resource to the District of Jaipur and other nearby districts. Steps should be taken by the State to remove all obstructions which may fall in the way of water flow in the rivers Banganga, Madhoveni, Roda, Gomti and Tala."
The Court also noted that Ramgarh Lake itself was allegedly under encroachment and said steps should be taken to remove the encroachments. It further directed that submersible pumps be installed in the lake.
Further, finding the affidavit filed by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Jamwa Ramgarh, to be "unsatisfactory", the Court directed the Advocate General, in consultation with the Jaipur Collector, to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the encroachments in the Ramgarh Dam catchment area, the names of persons who have encroached upon the land, details of buildings, structures, farmhouses and hotels constructed in the area, and the steps taken to remove such encroachments since 2013.
The District Collector, Kotputli-Behror, is also directed to assist the Court with respect to areas falling in Viratnagar.
The Court further observed that the anicuts obstructing the flow of water towards Ramgarh Lake now served only as impediments and directed the PWD-Water Resources Department to take necessary steps to remove all such anicuts.
The matter is listed on August 13, 2026.
Title: Suo Motu v State of Rajasthan, and other connected matters