While most of the 1,328 industries closed shop, the non-conforming industries continued functioning-and waiting for relocation.

The SC was acting on a petition filed by environment lawyer M C Mehta in 1994, questioning the government's continued negligence in allowing polluting industries to continue in the Capital's domestic areas in violation of the Master Plan 2001, requiring ``hazardous and noxious'' and ``heavy and large'' industries torelocate to the NCR, and non-conforming industries (located in non-industrial zones) to relocate to industrial zones in Delhi.

Following the SC order, the government called for applications from industries for the allocation of new sites. Out of the 52,000 applications received for relocation, 1,100 had applied for flatted factories. In the first lot, the government allotted premises to 300-odd applicants.Of course, allotment is only the beginning of the process of relocation. Industry commissioner J P Singh says, ``They will need clearance from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).'' Elaborates a senior official with the DPCC, ``They will have to obtain the consent to establish their units as per the Master Plan, and the consent to operate after installing pollution control devices.''

Besides, the government claims to have identified 4,800 acres of developed land in existing industrial estates for relocation of the industries. 1,300 acres have been already notified for acquisition in Bawana,Holaumbi Kalan and Holaumbi Khurd. Out of this, 1,060 acres have already been physically acquired.

At the same time, the government is exploring other possibilities, too. Delhi industry minister Dr Narender Nath explains, ``We want to amend the Master Plan to make provision for certain types of industries to continue functioning in domestic areas.'' He adds, ``But we won't allow them to function without upgradation or installing pollution control devices.'' And wherever needed, the government is willing to provide common effluent treatment plants. Amendment of the Master Plan 2001 may involve reverting back to the SC, though.

The amendment of the Master Plan is being considered due to practical reasons. Explains Nath, ``The primary reason is the scarcity of land in the city.''

Besides, there is a school of thought among government and industry circles which believes that shifting is no solution. Says J R Jindal, president of the Delhi Factory Owners Federation (DFOF), ``The character of a pollutingindustry doesn't change with shifting to a new location. Since anti-polluting devices are needed at the new sites, why can't these be installed at the old locations?''

Seems sound logic. But not everybody is impressed. Regrets Ravi Agarwal, an environmental activist with Srishti, a Delhi-based NGO, ``In its bid to sort out the complicated issue of industrial pollution with short-sighted measures, it seems that the government is forgetting about its limitations in tackling industrial air pollution in domestic areas, and related issues like solid waste disposal and water pollution.'' And what about cleaning up the city, decongesting roads, releasing land, power and water for domestic consumption? Well, courts may debate that at a later date.