**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Starred Question No. 37 in Lok Sabha, concerning air and water pollution in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, scheduled for February 2, 2026. It provides information on pollution levels, government studies, and steps taken to address pollution in the mentioned districts. The document is a statement laid on the Table of the House.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Air Quality:**
* Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh have not been identified as non-attainment cities by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
* In 2025, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) for Sri Ganganagar was 152 and Hanumangarh was 125, placing both districts in the moderate category.
* **Water Quality:**
* The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) conducts monthly water quality monitoring of canals and water bodies.
* The water quality of the monitored canals falls under Class ‘B’ (suitable for outdoor bathing) and Class ‘C’ (suitable as a drinking water source after treatment), as per CPCB standards.
* The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) regularly treats and disinfects raw water before supplying it for drinking purposes.
* Water quality is tested and monitored regularly.
* **Pollution Control Measures:**
* RSPCB has taken up the matter with CPCB and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to prevent illegal discharge of contaminated water from Punjab into the Sutlej River and Buddha Nala, which ultimately supplies water to Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh.
* The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2015.
* RSPCB conducts regular inspection and monitoring of industries to control air and water pollution.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh Residents
**Impact:** Residents are provided with information regarding the current status of air and water quality in their districts.
**Action Required:** No action is required of the residents.
**Stakeholder:** Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB)
**Impact:** The RSPCB is responsible for monitoring and controlling air and water pollution in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh.
**Action Required:** Continue monthly water quality monitoring, regular inspections, and coordinate with CPCB and PPCB to prevent pollution.
**Stakeholder:** Public Health Engineering Department (PHED)
**Impact:** The PHED is responsible for ensuring the safety of drinking water supplied to the public in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh.
**Action Required:** Continue regular treatment and disinfection of raw water before distribution.
**Stakeholder:** Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
**Impact:** These boards are involved in addressing the illegal discharge of contaminated water from Punjab into rivers that affect water quality in Rajasthan.
**Action Required:** PPCB to take strict action against defaulting industrial units upstream to prevent pollution. CPCB to coordinate and oversee actions.
Key Entities Referenced
Air and Water Pollution in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan: Subject of a starred question in Lok Sabha regarding pollution issues in specific districts of Rajasthan.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The ministry responsible for addressing the air and water pollution issues raised in the question.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Agency responsible for setting water quality standards and identifying non-attainment cities based on air quality.
Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB): State agency responsible for water quality monitoring and controlling pollution.
Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh, Rajasthan: Districts in Rajasthan facing air and water pollution issues, specifically mentioned in the question.
OIH
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.
***