Seven town-planning schemes in the city are residential but only in papers. Concrete jungles have mushroomed from the ATI College till the Gill Canal. The areas were earmarked for residential purposes but over the years they have seen thick growth of industrial units in its ambit.

Many party leaders have jumped into fray to help traders file objections to the master plan. The areas that will be badly hit include Janta Nagar, Shimlapuri, New Shimlapuri and Dashmesh Nagar.

However, industrialists have called an urgent meeting on March 16 in which political leaders from the SAD, BJP, Congress will raise the issue.

Gurwant Singh, General Secretary, Small Scale Industries’ and Traders’ Association, said, "Our industrial units are operating from these colonies for more than 30 years now. Most of us are living on first floor and having our industrial units on ground floors. We were given industrial connection by the PSEB and we are giving good revenue to the government. The move will kill our industry."

Singh added, "We want these areas to be declared designated commercial because it is not possible to move out. CPI leader Joginder Pal, Deputy Speaker Satpal Gosian, Cabinet minister Hira Singh Gabria former MLAs Malkiat Singh Birmi and Malkait Singh Dakha have promised to help us in this hour of crisis. We will be filing our objections to the master plan soon."

Sewing machine parts manufacturers, auto and cycle parts manufacturers, electroplating units are operating in these areas and all of them are small-scale industries. However, this is not for the first time that these units have got a warning. In the past too, the pollution board has given notices but political interferences have saved the industry.

Meanwhile, industrialists admit that the red category units (polluting units) should be moved out including electroplating units. However, green category units that are not causing any harm to residents should be spared.

Manmohan Singh, president of the association, said, "The families of industrialists are staying in these colonies from where their units are operating. I don't think anyone of us have any problem staying here."