CH NEWS
BENGALURU
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar challenged Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda to an open debate over the proposed Rs 18,000-crore Bidadi township project, asserting that nearly 80 per cent of farmers had consented to the plan.
“Kumaraswamy wanted a debate on the Bidadi township project. Let him decide the place and time. Deve Gowda can also join,” Shivakumar told reporters after meeting a section of farmers.
The Deputy Chief Minister said village-wise final notifications for land acquisition would be issued within three days and compensation distribution is expected to begin in early June.
The ambitious township project, approved by the Karnataka Cabinet on April 30, proposes acquisition of 7,481 acres across nine villages in Ramanagara taluk of Bengaluru South district.
Kumaraswamy has strongly opposed the proposal, alleging that the government was turning the township initiative into an “official real estate business” and demanding an immediate halt to land acquisition.
Responding to the criticism, Shivakumar said the project was not initiated by him but was originally notified during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Chief Minister.
“This is not my project. It was earlier given to DLF, but the company withdrew stating that the project was not financially viable,” he said.
Farmers attending the meeting claimed the project had remained stalled since 2006, resulting in restrictions on buying and selling land in the notified areas.
Alasandra Srinivas said compensation discussions had finally moved forward, with rates crossing Rs 2 crore per acre.
Farmer leader H. Rajanna said compensation had been fixed at up to Rs 2.5 crore per acre and added that Cauvery water supply would also be extended to the township region.
Shivakumar urged Kumaraswamy, who holds the Steel portfolio in the Union government, to focus on reducing steel and cement prices instead of criticising the township proposal.
The Deputy Chief Minister also advised farmers not to rush into selling their lands after receiving compensation, stating that land values in the area are expected to rise significantly once infrastructure development begins.
According to Shivakumar, the township will be connected through a 40-km road network linking Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru-Mysuru Road, NICE Road and the proposed Satellite Town Ring Road project.
