Sun Nov 09 03:00:24 UTC 2025: News Article:
NGT Orders Rehabilitation for Pollution Victims Near Rajasthan Mining Site
New Delhi, November 9, 2025 – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Rajasthan government to form a committee of officials to assess and implement measures for the rehabilitation of villagers near Jodhpura, Rajasthan, who have been affected by pollution from nearby limestone mining and crushing operations.
For over 1,000 days, residents of Jodhpura village in the Kotputli-Behror district, under the banner of “Jodhpura-Mohanpura Sangarsh Samiti,” have been protesting against a cement plant with an associated mine and two crushers. They cited concerns over damage to their homes, health problems due to noise and air pollution, and depleting groundwater levels.
The NGT’s ruling, delivered by the Central Zone Bench in Bhopal on November 3rd, acknowledged the “inevitable impacts on human habitation” and the danger to students at the local government primary school, which has already sustained damage from blasting activities.
The tribunal ordered the Rajasthan Chief Secretary to establish a committee to study and implement the relocation of those affected by the pollution. Additionally, the NGT directed the cement company to pay ₹50,000 to villagers whose homes have been damaged, as well as ₹20,000 to other villagers for environmental and health impacts.
The cement company was also instructed to immediately undertake water recharge and conservation efforts in the area to replenish groundwater resources, with guidance and monitoring from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
Neelam Ahluwalia, Founder of ‘People for Aravallis’, highlighted that this situation is a symptom of the larger issue of illegal and unregulated mining across the Aravalli mountain range, impacting countless rural communities.
The Hindu had previously reported on similar concerns regarding health problems and falling groundwater levels in villages near stone quarries in south Haryana and north-west Rajasthan.
First Piper 