Bidadi AI City Controversy Reignites as Political Leaders Spar Over Land Acquisition
The longstanding dispute over the proposed AI-powered city near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district has flared up once again, with Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar engaging in a sharp public confrontation. The conflict centers on the acquisition of land for a 9,000-acre project aimed at developing an integrated township to alleviate traffic congestion in Bengaluru, but it has sparked significant opposition from local farmers.
Kumaraswamy Joins Farmers' Protest, Alleges Irregularities
On a recent Sunday, Kumaraswamy actively participated in a protest near Bidadi, standing in solidarity with a group of farmers who have vehemently opposed the land acquisition process. These farmers have been staging demonstrations since the project notification was issued in September of the previous year, voicing deep concerns over the potential loss of their livelihoods and what they perceive as inadequate compensation packages.
During the protest, Kumaraswamy launched a scathing critique of the current Congress-led state government, accusing it of misusing a proposal he had originally approved back in 2006. As the then Chief Minister, he had cleared plans for five townships around Bengaluru, including Bidadi, to address the capital's traffic woes. However, he now contends that the government is exploiting this initiative for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, which is being marketed as an AI city.
Kumaraswamy highlighted several alleged irregularities in the land acquisition process, pointing out that the villages earmarked for the project were once barren with no basic facilities or irrigation. It's fertile land now, he remarked, questioning the logic of proposing an AI city on such valuable agricultural terrain without allocating any budgetary funds for it.
Compensation Disparities and Development Rights Under Scrutiny
Drawing a stark comparison, Kumaraswamy referenced a recent case involving the Eagleton Golf Resort, where the government imposed a penalty of approximately Rs 982 crore for encroaching on 77 acres near Bidadi. This translated to about Rs 13 crore per acre. In contrast, he noted that the current compensation offered to farmers for the AI city project is around Rs 2 crore per acre, a figure he deemed unjust. I would not object if farmers get Rs 13 crore per acre, he asserted, emphasizing his commitment to preventing what he called the looting of farmers' lands.
Furthermore, Kumaraswamy expressed dissatisfaction with the development rights offered as part of the compensation package, questioning how long farmers would have to wait for these promises to materialize. His support for the protesters dates back to September of the previous year when he addressed them virtually from New Delhi, criticizing Shivakumar for aggressively pushing the project forward.
Shivakumar Responds with Debate Challenge and Political Accusations
In response to Kumaraswamy's allegations, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar issued a direct challenge, stating that he is ready for a debate with the Union Minister on the Bidadi township issue. Speaking to reporters at an event in Kanakapura, Shivakumar invited the media to decide the dates for such a debate, indicating his willingness to engage in a public discussion to clarify the matter.
Shivakumar also countered Kumaraswamy's claims by accusing him of engaging in political maneuvering. He reminded that it was Kumaraswamy who, during his tenure as Chief Minister, initiated the project, and the current government is merely continuing it. It is not me who started this project. It was started by him, Shivakumar stated, dismissing Kumaraswamy's opposition as politically motivated rather than based on substantive concerns.
The escalating row underscores the complex interplay between urban development, agricultural interests, and political rivalries in Karnataka. As both leaders dig in their heels, the fate of the Bidadi AI city project remains uncertain, with farmers' protests and public debates likely to shape the ongoing discourse.
