Farmers opposing Greater Bengaluru project

Following the approval of the Greater Bengaluru Authority in the Legislative Assembly, allegations have surfaced regarding the acquisition of farmers' land for township construction. Farmers have claimed that their lands are being forcibly seized under the guise of Greater Bengaluru development, urging the government to halt the land acquisition process.

On Tuesday, farmers held a meeting near the Madduramma Temple in Hosuru, located near Bidadi, to discuss their concerns. A total of 24 villages in the Bidadi area, encompassing 9,600 acres of land, are to be included under the Greater Bengaluru jurisdiction. Farmers expressed their anxiety over the potential expropriation of land from 10 of these villages if the Greater Bengaluru project is implemented, voicing strong opposition to the land acquisition process.

 In 2006, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had initiated plans for the construction of the Bidadi Township, categorizing farmers' land in a "red zone." Now, farmers are outraged, claiming the Congress government is encroaching on their land once again under the pretext of development in the Greater Bengaluru project. The meeting was marked by heated discussions and debates among attendees.

Prakash, a local resident from Hosuru, spoke to the media, stating, "A total of 9,600 acres of land in Kanachugaranahalli and Bhairamangala Panchayat limits is being acquired without any consent or feedback from the farmers. However, around 90% of this land is suitable for agriculture, used for growing cash crops. Farmers here supply approximately 6,000 liters of milk to KMF (Karnataka Milk Federation). Additionally, the land is unique for its large number of fruit trees and horticultural crops compared to what can be found anywhere else in the vicinity."