Ludhiana: As the deadline for the mixed land-use extension along Gill Road approaches, residents and local unit owners are expressing frustration over repeated short-term extensions, urging the state government to relocate industrial units to dedicated industrial zones while protecting livelihoods.While residents acknowledge the need to prevent occupational crises for small manufacturers, they stated that operating factories within residential areas causes persistent noise, heavy traffic, and chemical pollution that severely impacts public health.Locals living near the manufacturing units reported long-term discomfort from machinery noise and industrial fumes.“When I came here after marriage, my nostrils had a constant burning sensation because of the smell of metal and scrap from a factory near our house. There is no escape from this even in the morning when I step out,” said a local female resident.Another resident, Dyal Singh, noted that continuous machine operation becomes unmanageable with age. He stated that while noise levels felt manageable in his youth, the constant sound of heavy machinery began affecting his health over time.Call for shift to focal pointsCommunity members and unit owners noted that relocating factories to designated industrial focal points would benefit both residents and businesses.“This is because for the future of both the residents and those owning their units. People would have place to live and breathe whereas factories would also have a new lease of life for expansion in industry areas without any concerns and objections of people,” said Baljit Singh, a resident of Shimlapuri.Gurjit Singh, who owns a combined factory-cum-residence, stated that while operating locally offers temporary convenience, govt-backed incentives and migration assistance would make shifting to industrial zones viable.‘High real estate costs prevent shifting’Small-scale unit owners cited high industrial land rates and large plot size requirements as the main barriers to moving away from residential neighbourhoods.“Minimum plot sizes and high land rates make it difficult for small manufacturers to shift. The govt should either provide land at subsidised rates or allow smaller industrial plots of around 100 to 200 square yards,” said Bhupinder Singh, who runs a manufacturing unit alongside his residence.“We also want to separate our workplace from residence for work life balance. The existence of factories in these areas causes health issues, and we also want to live in such areas without any noise and pollution. The govt must facilitate it,” he added.
