Shimla, Jan. 21 -- Amid growing protest against the proposed Jathiya Devi satellite township, and a unanimous resolution passed by the Bagi gram panchayat, urban development minister Vikramaditya Singh assured that there will be no forced acquisition.

"The interests of locals of Shimla rural constituency would be given top priority and not even an inch of land would be taken without public consent, said Vikramaditya.

An urban development project was conceptualised at Jathiya Devi with an aim to decongest Shimla. It was conceived by the state government with the approval of the Centre in 2014. The project was to be executed by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).

In a special gram sabha meeting held on ...