Supreme Court raps Jaipur Nagar Nigam over pollution at Jal Mahal Lake

JAIPUR: The Supreme Court took a stern view of the continued environmental degradation of Jal Mahal Lake in Jaipur and directed immediate compliance with the findings of the CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).

NEERI submitted a detailed report exposing ongoing pollution at the site. The Court asked Jaipur Nagar Nigam to file an affidavit by the second week of July 2025, detailing a timeline for implementing urgent remedial measures.

The matter stems from a November 3, 2023, order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which banned the night market operating on the banks of Jal Mahal and imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 26 lakh on Jaipur Nagar Nigam for violating environmental norms. In its appeal before the Supreme Court, the Nagar Nigam was accused—based on reports from the Assistant Conservator of Forests—of discharging untreated sewage and wastewater into the lake.

During earlier hearings, the Court summoned the CEO of Jaipur Nagar Nigam to explain the ongoing violations. However, the CEO failed to present any convincing measures for lake preservation, prompting the Court to observe that such negligence runs counter to the vision of making Jaipur a 'Smart City'. The Court appointed NEERI as an expert agency to prepare a comprehensive environmental report and simultaneously stayed all proposed tourism and vending activities in the vicinity of the lake. It also directed the Nagar Nigam to ensure proper disposal of waste and complete prohibition of any commercial or informal activity near the lake.

NEERI’s report, submitted in April 2025, revealed that grey water, likely sewage, continues to flow into the lake through stormwater drains. It also noted that fish-feeding and dumping of organic matter were contributing to pollution. Based on these findings, NEERI recommended three immediate measures: stopping the inflow of sewage, implementing solid waste management in the surrounding areas, and halting the sale and use of fish-feed until further environmental study.

Counsel appearing for petitioner Rajendra Tiwari further informed the Court that a Sulabh Shauchalaya was constructed near the lake and that its untreated effluents were also entering the water body. “Taking note of this, the Court directed NEERI to conduct a follow-up inspection one month from now to assess the condition and impact of the public toilet. The Court reiterated that the continued discharge of untreated effluents into Jal Mahal Lake was unacceptable and a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a clean and healthy environment,” said Tiwari.