Ludhiana Industries Face Mounting Anxiety Over Mixed Land Use Deadline
Clouds of uncertainty and anxiety loom over hundreds of small industrial units operating in mixed land use areas across Ludhiana, as the September deadline for their operations approaches. The Public Action Committee (PAC) has urged the state government not to grant any further extensions to these units, leaving owners in a precarious position as they seek government support to facilitate migration.
Extended Deadlines and Growing Concerns
The industry in these areas had previously been granted an extension of nearly three years to continue operations, but with the current deadline fast approaching, small factory owners report that anxiety is mounting significantly. Many of these units function in compact spaces ranging between 100 to 200 square yards and are spread across nearly 72 mohallas throughout the city.
Historical Context of Land Use Designations
The area was initially declared as mixed land use in 2007, with subsequent extensions granted in 2017, 2021, and 2023. Unit owners emphasize that these repeated temporary extensions have only prolonged uncertainty and severely hampered long-term planning for their businesses.
Industry Leaders Voice Their Concerns
"Where would we go? These are hundreds of small industries in 72 mohallas," said Gurmukh Singh Rupal, Head of the Sewing Machine Division of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisations (FICO). "We have long been demanding that the government give us some space where the industry can migrate to. We have been making such requests ever since the issue of mixed land use was brought up."
Rupal, who operates a unit in one of the localities near Gill Road where small-scale manufacturing units line both sides of the stretch, noted that most of these units fall under the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) category. He highlighted the disparity in land allocation, stating, "When the land for Cycle Valley was carved out, we were hopeful that the government would provide land to small units like ours. Unfortunately, the land has been allotted to big corporations at nominal rates, whereas the industries that have been operating from the beginnings of industry in Ludhiana have been left in the lurch."
Expert Recommendations for Sustainable Solutions
Industry experts have consistently advocated that the government must facilitate the migration of these industries with appropriate incentives. These include:
- Low-interest rate loans to support relocation costs
- Implementation of schemes like RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance)
- Designated industrial zones with proper infrastructure
Such measures would not only provide growth prospects for these businesses but also lead to better revenue generation for the government. Since these mixed land use areas are located in the central part of the district, the migration of industry would also improve land rates for residents, creating a positive economic ripple effect throughout the community.
The Urgent Need for Government Action
The current situation underscores the critical need for government intervention to address the concerns of these small industrial units. Owners emphasize that temporary extensions are no longer sufficient and that a comprehensive, long-term solution is required to ensure the sustainability of Ludhiana's industrial ecosystem.
"Now the government must provide us land so we can migrate there," Rupal concluded, echoing the sentiment of hundreds of small business owners facing an uncertain future as the September deadline draws nearer with each passing day.
