Bidadi-Projekt: Stunden nach der Ankündigung des Überprüfungsgremiums durch den Ministerpräsidenten von Karnataka gibt die Regierung die endgültige Mitteilung für den Erwerb von 4.944,49 Hektar Land in vier Dörfern heraus.

The Karnataka government has issued final land acquisition notifications for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project at Bidadi, acquiring 4,944.49 acres of land across four villages. The move comes just hours after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced the formation of a review committee to assess the project's merits and demerits. The notification marks the second phase of land acquisition under the project, which aims to develop a large-scale urban infrastructure complex near Bengaluru. The final notification covers four revenue villages, K.G. Gollarapalya, Bannigiri, Aralalusandra, and Hosuru, with a total area of 4,944.49 acres, including 4,717.96 acres of farmland. Hosuru contributes 2,390.12 acres, while Aralalusandra accounts for 1,460.21 acres. This brings the total land acquired so far to 5,462 acres across seven villages. The project still requires the acquisition of 9,600 acres spread across nine revenue villages and 16 non-revenue villages. Two villages, Bairamangala and Kanchigaranahalli, remain pending for final notification. The announcement follows a prolonged farmers’ protest against the project, which has lasted nearly 500 days. Demonstrators have gathered at Bairamangala, expressing concerns over the loss of agricultural land and lack of adequate compensation. Despite the ongoing resistance, the government asserts that it has secured the necessary stakeholder approvals to proceed with the project. A senior official from the Greater Bangalore Development Authority stated that the process will continue regardless of the committee’s findings, emphasizing that compensation will be offered only to farmers who voluntarily agree to transfer their land. Chief Minister Shivakumar emphasized during his address that the Bidadi Township Project is not a new initiative but a continuation of a proposal made by the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in 2006. He accused former leaders of inciting the current farmers’ agitation. While acknowledging the need for a thorough evaluation, he stressed that the decision must ultimately serve the interests of the farming community. The committee, whose composition, including whether to include retired judges, officials, or legislators, is yet to be finalized, is expected to submit its recommendations within three months. The government maintains that it will not engage in forced land acquisition and insists on providing fair compensation to those who agree to participate. Farmers, however, remain skeptical, citing past experiences of delayed payments and insufficient support. Some have called for greater transparency and public consultation before proceeding further with the project. The situation reflects broader tensions between rapid urbanization and rural livelihoods, a challenge faced by many states in India. As the review committee begins its work, the focus shifts to how the findings will influence the future of the Bidadi Township Project. With the government committed to moving forward despite opposition, the next steps will likely involve negotiations with affected communities and possibly adjustments to the project’s scope based on feedback. The outcome could shape not only the fate of the project but also the relationship between state authorities and local populations in the region.