Ludhiana: Uncertainty looms over thousands of small industrial units operating in mixed land use (MLU) areas across Ludhiana as the state govt’s Sept 30 operational deadline expires today without any formal extension or permanent policy notification.The end of the existing permission impacts small and medium manufacturing units spread across 72 localities along Gill Road and other industrial stretches.These micro and small units produce critical bicycle components, auto parts, fasteners, and rims. Industry representatives warned that any disruption to these suppliers would ripple through larger manufacturing supply chains across Ludhiana’s bicycle, sewing machine, and engineering sectors.Criticising the state govt’s inaction, Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) president Gurmeet Singh Kular said, “They are business is giving out freebies, and taking out processions, but even when the deadline has come to a close, there has been no declaration or solution, despite several requests, and demand.”Kular stressed that temporary extensions merely postpone the crisis for units operating in these areas for decades, leaving business owners unable to decide whether to invest in modernisation or prepare for relocation.Echoing these concerns, manufacturer Tarlochan Singh said, “The govt should for once and all, declare their decision. Deadline has nearly ended, but there is no clear declaration from the govt.”While most industry groups are seeking permanent industrial status for these zones, the Punjab Action Committee has demanded that no further extensions be granted to units in MLU areas.
