Shimla Villagers Unanimously Oppose Township Project Near Airport

Residents of Baghi Panchayat in the Shimla suburbs have unanimously opposed the proposed land acquisition for the Jathia Devi township project near Jubbarhatti Airport. During a special gram sabha meeting, villagers from eight affected hamlets demanded the cancellation of the proposal, citing threats to their agriculture and livelihoods. They have communicated their refusal to grant consent to the administration and the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The villagers stated that the land acquisition would not only lead to displacement but also severely impact their dairy-based livelihoods. They argued that the project, conceived in 2014 by HIMUDA to ease population pressure on Shimla, would cause significant social, economic, and environmental damage. Villagers accused authorities of advancing the project without Gram Sabha consent, leading to their outright refusal to provide land. Copies of the resolution have been sent to various government bodies, and villagers have warned of protests if their objections are not addressed.