Himachal Minister Vows No Compulsory Land Acquisition for Proposed Shimla Satellite Township
Public Works Department Minister and Shimla Rural MLA Vikramaditya Singh made a significant declaration on Thursday, firmly stating that the Himachal Pradesh government will not acquire any land without the explicit consent of local residents for the proposed Jathiya Devi satellite township project. This development is planned near the Jubbarhatti airport, approximately 22 kilometers from Shimla.
Strong Opposition from Local Villages
The minister's statement comes in response to intense resistance from the Bagi village panchayat, which represents residents of eight villages: Mashla, Chalan, Kyargi, Panjari, Shilaila, Patti, Shilu, and Odi. On January 10, the panchayat passed a resolution outright rejecting any land acquisition for the project and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Addressing these concerns directly, Vikramaditya Singh clarified that any land required for the township would be obtained solely through mutual negotiations and with the full agreement of landowners. He emphasized that while the government is committed to planned development and establishing cities and satellite townships outside Shimla to alleviate urban pressure, such initiatives cannot proceed at the expense of farmers and orchardists.
Protecting Agricultural Interests
As the local MLA, Vikramaditya Singh underscored his responsibility to safeguard the interests of agriculturists and horticulturists in the region. He reiterated that protecting their livelihoods is a top priority, and development efforts must align with community welfare.
Historical Context and Project Revival
The minister recalled that during the previous Congress government led by his father, former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, nearly 260 bighas of land were acquired through land pooling and transferred to the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA). At that time, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with a Singapore-based firm to develop the township. However, the project failed to materialize and remained stalled even during the subsequent BJP government.
Currently, efforts are underway to revive the Jathiya Devi satellite township project, with Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani actively involved in the process. Despite these revival attempts, residents have voiced strong objections to proposals for acquiring an additional 1,200 bighas of land, which includes both private and shamlat (common) land. A key point of contention is the opposition to compulsory acquisition under Section 12 of the relevant act.
Government's Firm Stance on Consent-Based Development
Vikramaditya Singh confirmed that he has conveyed the panchayat's concerns to the HIMUDA Chief Executive Officer. He reaffirmed the government's position that development will proceed only with public consent, explicitly ruling out any forced land acquisition. This assurance aims to build trust and ensure that the project advances in a manner that respects the rights and wishes of the local community.
