Jathia Devi Satellite Township Work to Begin in October as Master Plan Gets Approval
Shimla, June 14:
After years of delay, construction on the ambitious Jathia Devi satellite township is finally set to begin this October. The Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) has received the master plan from Tata Consultants and will launch Phase I of the project using state funds under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Initially envisioned over a decade ago to decongest Shimla, the township will be developed 14 km from the state capital. Spread over 1,944 bighas, the master plan includes flats, villas, eco-resorts, and supporting infrastructure. However, financial roadblocks had stalled progress, with earlier attempts to secure Central funding proving unsuccessful.
“We were hoping for Central assistance, but with no confirmation yet, we are moving ahead with our own resources for the first phase,” confirmed Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani. He added that the upcoming phase will begin on 250 bighas of land, with formalities underway to acquire an additional 350 bighas from the Industries Department. More land will be acquired from private owners as needed.
The satellite township is seen as a crucial step in relieving Shimla from mounting civic issues such as traffic congestion, water scarcity, and unplanned construction. “This project is essential for Shimla’s future livability and sustainability,” Dharmani emphasized.
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The project has a long history, initially gaining traction during the tenure of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh when a partnership with a Singapore-based company was explored. However, restrictions by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on high-rise buildings in hill areas rendered the earlier proposal economically unfeasible.
The state government had also submitted a detailed project report (DPR) seeking Rs 500 crore from the Urban Challenge Fund under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. While no funding has materialized yet, states like Sikkim, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh are also competing for similar mountain township initiatives.
With or without Central aid, HIMUDA is now determined to move forward—marking a fresh chapter in Himachal’s urban development efforts.
