By S Lalitha,Bangalore: After a five-year battle, relief from air and noise pollution might finally be at hand for the residents of Accountant General's Office (AGS) Layout at Arehalli in Uttarahalli Hobli. That is, provided the management of StoveKraft Industries Pvt Ltd, a concern that manufactures aluminium pressure cookers in the vicinity, keeps up its word to relocate in a week's time (by July 9). The AGS Layout which came up in 1997, is home to 300 families. In 2001, the cooker manufacturer set shop here on revenue land in the adjacent area. Gas stoves were manufactured initially and the company progressed to manufacturing aluminium cookers two years later. It was then that residents started protesting due to the high decibel levels and black dust in the air. But the industry managed to continue functioning despite repeated notices from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and frequent power disconnections by BESCOM. The KSPCB had issued separate orders on November 22, 2006, April 5, 2007 and the latest on 29 April, 2008 directing the industry to close operations charging non-compliance of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. The company's appeal against the orders was dismissed by the Karnataka Apellate Tribunal on July 12, 2007. The final deadline given by KSPCB was March 31 this year and the industry sought time till May-end which was turned down. Residents move Resident K Raghunatha, who owns a house here, has shifted to a neighbouring area. He says, "My wife developed asthma and cannot continue inhaling the air here. I have relocated elsewhere temporarily and will get back once the factory shuts down here.' AGS Layout Welfare Association president B R Satyanarayana said, "Those who claim there is no pollution here do not reside here at all.' Many residents complain of respiratory problems. They also attributed its survival to "collusion between top government officials and the company management.' But, KSPCB chairman Dr H C Sharat Chandra outrightly rejected suggestions of any unethical nexus. When this reporter visited Stovekraft, it was running on generator as BESCOM had snapped power. Managing Director Rajendra Gandhi refused to accept that it released any kind of pollution. "However, we have agreed to comply with the Board's directives and will be shifting on July 9 to our new premises at Harohalli. We will stick to this deadline for if we miss it there is no auspicious day for the next four months.' Residents await the D-day with fingers crossed.