Shimla, Jan. 21 -- Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday said that no compulsory or forceful land acquisition will be carried out for the proposed satellite township at Jathiya Devi near Jubbarhatti airport in Shimla district.

Addressing reporters, the minister said the interests of local residents of the Shimla Rural constituency would be given top priority, and not even an inch of land would be taken without public consent.

Clarifying concerns raised by local gram panchayats, Singh said resolutions passed by village panchayats opposing forced land acquisition would be respected. "We are in favour of planned development and satellite townships in the state, but development cannot c...