A hearing regarding the conservation and rejuvenation of Ramgarh Dam took place at the Rajasthan High Court. Expressing displeasure with the state government’s approach, the Court questioned why there was a delay in removing encroachments within a mere 5-kilometer radius of the dam, even while the government was planning to bring water from a distance of 105 kilometers.
“No action visible on the ground”
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Bhuvan Goyal observed that while reports have been submitted continuously since 2012, the expected action on the ground remains invisible. The Court noted that numerous farmhouses—where parties are held—have sprung up in the dam area. Furthermore, check dams (anicuts) exceeding a height of 2 meters have been demolished, and the natural water channels feeding the dam have been compromised.
105-kilometer pipeline to be laid
During the hearing, Advocate General Rajendra Prasad informed the Court that work is underway on a plan to transport water to Ramgarh Dam from Isarda Dam via a pipeline spanning approximately 105 kilometers. Additional Chief Secretary Abhay Kumar stated that the project is likely to be completed by 2028 and will also serve the purpose of drinking water supply. He explained that while the initial plan was to transport water from Isarda via a canal, the pipeline option was adopted due to obstacles along the route.
Large-scale encroachment in the catchment and flow areas
Amicus Curiae Advocate Abhinav Sharma informed the Court that large-scale encroachment persists in the catchment and flow areas of Ramgarh Dam. He noted that although approximately 600 references for the cancellation of land allotments have been submitted, no further action has been taken. He also highlighted that about 600 bighas of land in the Viratnagar area had previously been mutated under the category of a ‘drain’ (nala); this mutation was cancelled in 2024, and a fresh mutation process was initiated. Next hearing on July 30
The division bench directed the state government to submit a detailed affidavit to the court by next Thursday, outlining all pending references and the actions taken regarding them. Additionally, the Jaipur District Collector was instructed to be present at the next hearing. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on July 30.
During the hearing, the court remarked, “The conservation of Ramgarh Dam is not the responsibility of any single individual; rather, safeguarding its natural watercourses and environment is a shared obligation of both present and future generations.”
