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Explore other options if villagers don’t want to sell land: Vikramaditya supports Bagi Gram Panchayat resolution

Eight revenue villages, out of 11 under the Bagi Gram Panchayat were selected for land acquisition for the Jathiya Devi township.

3 min readShimlaJan 15, 2026 09:39 PM IST

(Express Archive/ Representational)

Supporting the resolution passed by the Bagi Gram Panchayat against the acquisition of land for the proposed mountain township Jathiya Devi, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that if villagers don’t want to sell their fertile agricultural land, the authorities will have to explore other options.

Vikramaditya, the MLA from Shimla (Rural), said he had conveyed the sentiments of villagers to the officials concerned and the Department of Town and Country Planning.

“On January 10, the Bagi Gram Panchayat at a Gram Sabha passed an unopposed resolution against the acquisition of land for the Jathiya Devi mountain township. I was scheduled to attend the Gram Sabha, but couldn’t due to a meeting in Delhi. I was told about the resolution. I assured the villagers and the entire Gram Sabha that the acquisition will not happen against their wishes and conditions. If the villagers don’t want to sell their fertile agricultural land, the authorities will have to explore other options,” Vikramaditya told The Indian Express. “Be any projects, township, industrial, etc., the local people should be given preference. The projects can’t ignore the local people.”

Also Read | Why Himachal’s first satellite mountain township is being opposed by residents

Meanwhile, Bagi Gram Panchayat up-pradhan Desh Raj says, “In the coming days, we will also meet Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to handover a memorandum. Agriculture is the main source of our livelihood. We cannot allow the acquisition of our fertile land.”

Eight revenue villages, out of 11 under the Bagi Gram Panchayat, which falls under the Shimla (Rural) Assembly Constituency, and a village of adjoining Solan district were selected for land acquisition for the Jathiya Devi township.

Strategically located by the State Highway (SH) 16 and the National Highway (NH) 5, the proposed township is nearly 4 km from the Shimla Airport and about 20-22 km from ISBT, Shimla.

The landscape comprises ridges, valleys and seasonal streams between 1,300 and 1,500 metres above sea level.

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The first phase of the township proposes 895 residential units across High Income Group (HIG), Medium Income Group (MIG), Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories, along with commercial and industrial components over 84.22 hectares, while green and river development zones will cover another 33 hectares.

According to a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study held in November 2025 on the township, the township will span around 249 hectares, of which 35 hectares is government-owned land. The proposed land use includes Residential zones (55.16 ha): HIG, MIG, LIG and EWS; Commercial areas (13.36 ha) and non-polluting industrial zones (15.7 ha), recreational and green zones (16.42 ha), river development areas (16.56 ha), etc.

The proposed widened roads (13.78 ha), utility services, smart transport systems, helipad connectivity, and eco-sensitive planning area were other features of the township.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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