Shimla Villagers Unanimously Oppose Jathia Devi Township Land Acquisition

The Baagi Panchayat, located in a Shimla suburb, has unanimously opposed the land acquisition for the proposed Jathia Devi Township project near Jubbarhatti Airport. During a special Gram Sabha meeting on January 10, villagers from eight local communities rejected the plan, citing concerns about displacement and the severe impact on their agriculture and dairy-based livelihoods. They argue the project, conceived by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) in 2014 to ease pressure on Shimla, would harm the area's social, economic, and environmental fabric and proceeded without necessary village assembly approval. The panchayat has forwarded its resolution, refusing consent for the land acquisition, to the Governor, Chief Minister, district administration, and the National Green Tribunal, threatening agitation if their demands for the project's cancellation are not met.