Lok Sabha Question No. 37 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Air and Water Pollution in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.

## 37 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Air and Water Pollution in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan

## *37.   SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan are among the 20 most polluted cities in the world as a result of which a large number of people here are at a high risk of suffering from various diseases;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  scientific  study  or  survey  to  identify  the sources of air and water pollution in the said districts;
- (c) if so, the major findings thereon; and
- (d) the  various  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  so  far  to  check  the  pollution levels, improve the industrial and agricultural waste management systems and implement a comprehensive action plan under the Clean Water and Air Campaign in these areas?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) to (d)  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  OF  PARA  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO. 37 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 IN LOK SABHA RAISED BY SHRI  KULDEEP  INDORA  TITLED  'AIR  AND  WATER  POLLUTION  IN  SRI GANGANAGAR AND HANUMANGARH IN RAJASTHAN'

(a) to (d): Central Pollution Control Board identifies non-attainment cities based on the exceedance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh have not been  identified  as  non-attainment  cities.  Further,  the  average  Air  Quality  Index  (AQI)  of  Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh are 152 and 125, respectively, in 2025, indicating that AQI in both districts are within the moderate category.

Water quality monitoring of canals and water bodies is undertaken by Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) on a monthly basis at locations, namely Khakha Head on the Gang Canal in  District  Sri  Ganganagar  and  Masitawali  Head  and  Jhandewala  on  the  Indira  Gandhi  Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP) in District Hanumangarh. The analysis reveals that the water quality of these canals falls under Class 'B' and Class 'C', as per the Designated Best Use criteria prescribed by the Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB).  As  per  CPCB  norms,  Class  'B'  water  is  suitable  for outdoor bathing, while Class 'C' water is suitable as a drinking water source after conventional treatment  and  disinfection.  Public  Health  Engineering  Department  (PHED),  Government  of Rajasthan, regularly treats and disinfects the raw water before supplying it to the public for drinking purposes. The water quality is tested and monitored regularly.

To prevent illegal discharge of contaminated water by industrial units and municipal bodies of Punjab into the Sutlej River and Buddha Nala, which is ultimately supplied, to Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh through canals, RSPCB has taken up the matter with CPCB and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) for taking strict action against defaulting industrial units upstream.

For  systematic  management,  scientific  handling,  utilization  and  disposal  of  Industrial  and Agricultural waste, MoEFCC  notified Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2015.

Regular inspection and monitoring of industries is also carried out by RSPCB to control the air and water pollution.

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