Shimla: The long-pending proposal to develop a satellite township at Jathia Devi near Shimla has once again landed in controversy, with the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department initiating the land acquisition process after years of uncertainty. The move has sparked sharp resistance from local villagers, who fear loss of land and livelihoods.
A delegation of residents from Jathia Devi and adjoining villages met Urban Development and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh here on Tuesday, urging him to intervene and halt the acquisition process.
The proposed township falls under Shimla Rural constituency, which the Minister represents.
The villagers submitted a memorandum to Singh, categorically opposing acquisition under the present terms. They demanded compensation at factor-2 rates in line with provisions of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, or else a complete rollback of the acquisition. Residents argued that without fair compensation and rehabilitation safeguards, the project would irreversibly damage the agrarian and ecological character of the area.
Locals said the “Mountain Township City” proposal has been hanging fire for years, creating uncertainty that has already affected agriculture, house construction and land transactions. “First it was silence, now suddenly acquisition notices—people feel blindsided,” a villager said after the meeting.
Minister Vikramaditya Singh, while listening to the concerns, assured the delegation that their objections would be examined in detail.
He maintained that development cannot be imposed at the cost of people’s rights and that due process, transparency and lawful compensation are non-negotiable. Singh indicated that the state government would review the acquisition process and consult all stakeholders before taking any final call.
The township proposal, envisaged as a decongestion measure for Shimla, has faced resistance in the past as well, with villagers flagging environmental risks, strain on water resources and the threat to traditional livelihoods.
With acquisition now formally underway, the issue has returned to the political and administrative spotlight, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation between planners and local communities.
As of now, villagers have warned of intensifying protests if their demands are ignored, even as the government weighs its options amid growing pressure in Shimla Rural.
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