Jodhpur: The principal bench of Rajasthan high court in Jodhpur Friday directed the State Pollution Control Board (SPBC) to constitute a team of technical experts to inspect a cement factory in Sirohi district over allegations of environmental violations.The court mandated the team to collect soil, groundwater and borewell samples, conduct a detailed site inspection, and submit a comprehensive report by April 27. Authorities have also been ordered to maintain status quo at the site and prevent any tampering with alleged waste material.The directions came while hearing a PIL against Durga Cement Pvt Ltd, located in Bharja village of Pindwara tehsil in Sirohi district. The petitioners contended that the factory’s operations led to large-scale environmental degradation in the surrounding area.Digvijay Singh Jasol, counsel appearing for the petitioners, placed before the court a bottle allegedly containing contaminated water collected from the site, along with photographs purportedly showing indiscriminate dumping of waste, including hazardous and medical materials.It was argued that pollution from the unit adversely affected nearby residents and an adjoining educational institution. The petition further claimed that groundwater in the area has been contaminated to the extent of being unfit for human consumption, raising concerns about public health and safety.Taking note of the submissions and material placed on record, the division bench of Justice Farjand Ali and Justice Chandra Shekhar Sharma observed that there was prima facie substance in the allegations. The court noted that the visual evidence appeared to corroborate claims of unregulated waste disposal and environmental pollution.The bench underscored the seriousness of the issue, observing that the situation presents a potential environmental hazard with far-reaching consequences for local residents and students in the vicinity. It further held that the alleged contamination of groundwater elevates the matter to one of grave public concern, warranting urgent judicial intervention.The district collector and superintendent of police, Sirohi, have been instructed to ensure that no hazardous material is dumped and that existing conditions at the site are preserved to facilitate a fair and effective inquiry.
