Won't Allow Release Of Tertiary Water Into Jojari River : Supreme Court

In the suo motu case taken up over industrial river pollution in Rajasthan, the Supreme Court today categorically said that no tertiary water (treated wastewater) would be allowed to be released into Jojari river of the state.

"Not even a drop of that tertiary water can be allowed in the river. Steel industry is now starting re-use treated water. Tell us whether textile industry is in a position to re-use that water? If you can't use it for dyeing and printing purposes, how do you expect it to be allowed to go into the river where it mixes into drinking water? As on date, no tertiary water will be allowed. You rest assured. We'll not even hear arguments on that. With great difficulty, the river has started breathing. Let it breathe. We will not allow any attempt to kill it again" Justice Sandeep Mehta said.

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Mehta listed the matter for delivery of orders on Friday. However, during the hearing, it was not convinced with pleas related to discharge of accumulated wastewater. It questioned how the wastewater could be permitted to be released in the river water which was to be utilized for drinking, when the industries were not willing to re-use the same water for industrial purposes.

In the presence of Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas, the bench proposed setting up of a task force (headed by the Chief Secretary) which may work with the Court-appointed High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee and present a 20-point resolution plan to the court. It urged the state to have a continuous monitoring body for upkeep of the rivers, removal of encroachments from riverbeds, and marking of hybrid zones.

Justice Mehta, in particular, expressed concerns about the location of the Pali industrial area, which is apparently on the banks of River Bandi. "If that is allowed to stand, you will never be able to control it (pollution)", the judge remarked. It was further said that from a larger perspective, the industrial area may be required to be shifted to a more appropriate location. "That will give you lot of vacant land for development of Pali, which is becoming very congested", Justice Mehta said.

The bench also impressed upon the state authorities to timely decide the applications seeking permission for ETPs (preferred by industries discharging over 100 KLD of wastewater). Even if some small industry wants to go for ETP, decide their application, it said. Underlying the importance of the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system for western Rajasthan, Justice Mehta further underlined the court's expectations for the state to take appropriate steps. "This Ganga Cleaning Mission...Jojari is known to be Maru Ganga...we expect and hope that the state will give due importance to this river", the judge remarked.

At one point, Justice Mehta also expressed concern about the State allowing textile industries to come up on land meant for residential areas. The judge referred to a judgment of the Full Bench of the Rajasthan High Court, which prohibits conversion of residential areas into industrial areas. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, in response, said that steps are being taken in this regard and no new permissions were being granted. He further claimed that where such industries already exist, they are being attempted to be shifted.

Further, with regard to the proposed setting up of RIICO Industrial Area at Kakani, on the banks of River Luni, Justice Mehta expressed to the ASG, "again you are (doing the same thing]...thankfully it is stopped for the time being...do you want another disaster to strike?" The judge commented that the proposal "cannot go through" and the Court expects that it will be stopped forthwith.

Background

The proceedings arise from a suo motu case initiated by the Supreme Court after a documentary uploaded on YouTube highlighted large-scale industrial pollution in the Jojari river affecting nearly two million residents.

In November 2025, the Court constituted a High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee headed by former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Sangeet Lodha to prepare a comprehensive restoration and rejuvenation blueprint for the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system.

In March this year, the Court expressed dissatisfaction over the State's failure to provide adequate logistical support to the Committee after it highlighted difficulties in carrying out the work entrusted to it.

In July, the Court called for the State's response to fresh reports alleging industrial pollution in different parts, observing that the allegations, if found to be true, may point to a larger systemic failure in enforcement of environmental laws.

The Court also asked the State to explain why prosecutions relating to illegal discharge of untreated industrial effluents had not invoked graver offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

Case: In Re: 2 Million Lives At Risk, Contamination In Jojari River, Rajasthan, Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 8 of 2025