Sat Mar 28 18:27:28 UTC 2026: # Jodhpura Villagers End Dharna After Cement Plant Assurance

The Story:
Residents of Jodhpura village in Rajasthan have ended their demonstration outside the District Collectorate in Kotputli after receiving assurances from the local administration regarding compliance with a November 2025 National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgment. The NGT ruling addressed the environmental impact of UltraTech Cement’s operations in the area, ordering compensation and remedial actions. The villagers, represented by the Jodhpura Sangharsh Samiti, had been protesting for over three years due to issues such as structural damage to homes, pollution, and related health problems.

Key Points:

  • The NGT Central Zone Bench in Bhopal ordered UltraTech Cement to pay compensation for health and environmental damage.
  • The NGT directed the company to develop a green belt and rehabilitate affected villagers away from mining sites.
  • Villagers reported houses developing cracks due to blasting, air and sound pollution, and health issues like skin allergies and eye problems.
  • The NGT mandated that blasting should not occur within 500 meters of dwellings.
  • UltraTech Cement was directed to pay ₹50,000 each to 142 people for structural damage and ₹20,000 each to 109 people for pollution-related diseases.
  • The Jodhpura Sangharsh Samiti escalated protests after the NGT’s three-month compliance deadline passed without significant action.
  • A survey on March 24, 2026, found that blasting was occurring less than 500 meters from the village temple.
  • Immediate steps include replenishing groundwater, stopping night blasts, covering the crushing area, spraying water on roads, developing grazing lands, and using better filtration systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • Community action, through the Jodhpura Sangharsh Samiti, played a crucial role in pressuring authorities to address environmental concerns related to industrial activity.
  • The NGT’s intervention highlights the importance of legal mechanisms in protecting the rights and health of citizens affected by industrial pollution.
  • The delay in implementing the NGT’s judgment underscores the challenges in enforcing environmental regulations and holding corporations accountable.
  • The resolution, while a positive step, hinges on the timely and effective implementation of the promised remedial actions by both UltraTech Cement and the local administration.
  • This case may serve as a precedent for other communities facing similar environmental issues related to industrial operations.

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