Worried over the prospect of authorities turning the heat on them as well following the sealing of six small scale units a month ago, the small-scale industrialists today took to streets to voice their protest against the move. It may be mentioned that six small-scale units situated on Gill road and Shimlapuri areas were sealed a month ago for not adhering to pollution control norms.

The members of Small Scale Industrialists and Traders Association on Wednesday took out a march from Dana Mandi to DC office, where they staged a dharna.

They also gave a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, in which it has been demanded that these areas should be declared for mixed-land use in the master plan otherwise they would not be able to work.

More than 7,000 units are located in these areas at the moment. However as per the master plan, even for opening of a karyana shop, 60-feet wide road is required which is not possible as per the demography of the area.

The areas like Barota road, Krishna Nagar, Lohara Colony, Bhai Maha Singh Nagar, Fateh Singh nagar, Basant Nagar and many other areas are residential, where industry has mushroomed over the past many years.

Now the industrialists fear that after the sealing of six units a month ago, the PPCB axe may fall on them. The industrialists threatened to intensify their stir if their demand was not accepted and they were not provided relief.

Gurwant Singh, Manmohan Singh and few others were present on the ocassion.