Baddi Farmers Hold Protest Against Land Acquisition for Him-Chandigarh Township

The Protest March and Opposition

Affected farmers took out a protest march at Baddi opposing the government's ambitious move to set up the township Him Chandigarh on the outskirts of Baddi. They converged at Baddi and handed over a memorandum to the SDM while opposing acquisition of their arable land which they have been tilling for generations.

Residents comprising Sanjiv Kaushal, Nirmal Sharma and others said they will not permit acquisition of shamlat land meant for development of the villagers. Affected villagers also registered their protest against the state government as well as the Doon MLA for supporting this move though he tried to pacify them.

Government Cabinet Decision and Scale

The state Cabinet recently gave its nod to acquire 3,400 bighas of land at Shitalpur near Baddi for setting up a modern city on the lines of New Chandigarh. HIMUDA will set up this township after acquiring land and a drone survey has already been initiated.

A Cabinet sub-committee was constituted to explore the feasibility of developing the township and its report has now been approved by the Cabinet. Three panchayats have agreed to provide land for the project through land pooling, and the Cabinet has already approved the transfer of 3,400 bighas of land to the housing department.

Villager Concerns: Landlessness and Livelihood

After the Chief Minister announced that three panchayats are willing to give land for a new township to be built in the Baddi area bordering Chandigarh, residents of two villages opposed the move, saying acquisition of land for the purpose would render them landless.

The main occupation of the people there is farming and milk production. If there is no land left, both these occupations will automatically come to an end, as the locals will become landless. Construction of the new township will devastate both the panchayats (Malpur and Sandoli). Land had already been acquired for a four-lane highway and railway projects, and if a new township is built here, the local people will become landless.

Criticism of Past HIMUDA Projects

All housing projects developed by the HIMUDA in this industrial belt for which their land was acquired were in shambles. Villagers argued further that if these projects are developed properly the city can be transformed into a smart city without acquiring more land. This criticism of existing HIMUDA developments fuelled skepticism about the government's capability to deliver on its promises for the Him-Chandigarh township.

Environmental and Pollution Concerns

Baddi industrial cluster suffers from heavy pollution and the lone green area that is left in the area has been identified for setting up an urban sprawl which will further compound their woes. Villagers expressed concern that the township project would eliminate remaining green spaces in an already industrially burdened region.

Legal Threats and Next Steps

Villagers vowed to take legal recourse if the government remains adamant on acquiring village land. The residents of Malpur and Sandoli panchayats in Baddi unanimously warned to launch an agitation if the government forcibly imposes the proposal. The contested land acquisition has triggered potential legal confrontations as villagers prepare to challenge the government's decision in court.

The chief minister said more land would be acquired over the next six months and consultants would be appointed soon to ensure world-class facilities in the township.