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Himachal Rules Out Forced Land Acquisition for Shimla Satellite Town

Himachal Pradesh's Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has firmly stated that no compulsory land acquisition will occur for the proposed satellite township at Jathiya Devi near Shimla. He emphasized that the nearly 1,200 bighas required will only be taken with the full consent of local villagers, respecting resolutions from opposing gram panchayats. The minister also highlighted significant central funding, including Rs 2,247 crore under PMGSY for 294 rural roads, following his meeting with the Union Rural Development Minister. Singh reiterated his commitment to balanced development and protecting the rights of his constituents in the Shimla Rural constituency.

Key Points: No Forced Land Acquisition for Shimla Township: Minister

  • No forced land acquisition
  • Local consent mandatory
  • 1,200 bigha township plan
  • Rs 2,247 crore for rural roads
  • State to implement central schemes
3 min read

Himachal Pradesh: No forced land acquisition in Shimla, locals' consent mandatory

Himachal minister assures locals' consent mandatory for Jathiya Devi satellite township near Shimla, respecting panchayat resolutions.

"We are in favour of planned development... but development cannot come at the cost of people's rights. - Vikramaditya Singh"

Shimla, January 22

Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday said that no compulsory or forceful land acquisition will be carried out for the proposed satellite township at Jathiya Devi near Jubbarhatti airport in Shimla district.

Addressing reporters, the minister said the interests of local residents of the Shimla Rural constituency would be given top priority, and not even an inch of land would be taken without public consent.

Clarifying concerns raised by local gram panchayats, Singh said resolutions passed by village panchayats opposing forced land acquisition would be respected. "We are in favour of planned development and satellite townships in the state, but development cannot come at the cost of people's rights. Any land required for the proposed township, nearly 1,200 bighas, will be taken only with the consent of the local villagers," he said.

The minister said that HIMUDA has already acquired around 260 bighas of land in the state, including at Jathiya Devi near Shimla, but objections raised by locals in the remaining areas are being examined carefully. "This is my constituency, and I will not allow any injustice to the local people. There will be no forced acquisition," he reiterated.

Speaking on the state government's development approach, Singh said equal and balanced development across Himachal Pradesh has been a priority, and that he has been striving to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to him by the party high command and the Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Singh also said that the Union government has sanctioned Rs 2,247 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for the construction of 294 rural roads in the state following his meeting with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He thanked the Union government for the support, stating that cooperation beyond party politics was essential for the state's development.

He added that approvals across two departments have now crossed nearly Rs 8,300 crore, up from Rs 5,000 crore till recently.

The minister said the state government would work on a war footing to implement centrally sponsored schemes, upgrade road construction technology, including the use of CGBM, and improve ghats across the state. He also expressed concern over the ongoing dry spell, stressing the importance of the chilling period and sustainable water resource management, as springs and water sources are drying up.

"We are confident that with proper planning and coordination, these investments will translate into tangible benefits for people across Himachal Pradesh," Singh said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to hear, but actions speak louder than words. We've seen promises like this before. The key will be the transparency of the "consent" process. Will it be a fair price? Will there be proper rehabilitation? The gram panchayat resolutions must be the final word.
A
Aman W
As someone from Himachal, this is a relief. Our land and forests are not just property, they are our heritage. A satellite town is needed for Shimla's congestion, but not by destroying villages. Sustainable development is the only way forward for our fragile hills.
S
Sarah B
The cooperation between state and central government on schemes like PMGSY is commendable. Development should be beyond party politics. The ₹2,247 crore for rural roads will be a game-changer for connectivity in remote areas. Hope the implementation is swift.
V
Vikram M
The minister's concern about the dry spell and water sources is the most critical point here. Any new township must have a foolproof plan for water sustainability. We cannot create new urban centers that run dry in a few years. Planning has to be holistic.
K
Kriti O
Respectfully, while the intent is good, I'm skeptical. 1200 bighas is a huge area. Getting unanimous consent from all villagers is practically very difficult. There's a risk this could lead to indefinite delays or the project being shelved. There has to be a clear, fair middle path.

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