Devanahalli Farmers Renew Opposition to KIADB's Land Acquisition Drive
Farmers in Bengaluru's Devanahalli region have once again mobilized in protest following the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board's (KIADB) issuance of a fresh notice. The notice grants landowners a three-month window to voluntarily offer their properties for the proposed Aerospace Park situated near Kempegowda International Airport.
Deadline Set for Voluntary Land Contributions
The KIADB has explicitly requested that interested landowners express their willingness to part with their holdings by April 30. This development comes after the state government previously scrapped the acquisition of 1,777 acres in Channarayapattana hobli due to intense farmer resistance. However, authorities had left the possibility open for voluntary contributions, a clause that has now been activated.
Last week, KIADB released a public notice outlining that farmers who voluntarily participate would receive compensation determined by a dedicated committee. Those interested are required to submit their consent at KIADB's office located in Aravind Bhavan on Nupratunga Road in Bengaluru.
Farmers Express Anger and Plan Resistance
The move has sparked significant anger among the farming community, who were preparing to advocate for a complete withdrawal of the acquisition process. "We condemn KIADB's notice and will decide a course of action soon," stated Karahalli Srinivas, a prominent farmer activist. He emphasized that the community views this as a breach of earlier assurances.
In July of last year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that his administration would not pursue land acquisition for the park. This commitment was formalized through a government order on December 6, 2025. Additionally, the state designated the 1,777 acres as a permanent special agricultural zone, which prohibits any land use conversion and mandates that the land be used exclusively for agriculture.
Controversy Over Government's "Double Standards"
This designation has also been a point of contention for farmers. Srinivas highlighted plans to discuss what he termed the "double standards of the government" with pro-farmer organizations and other like-minded groups. "We will get the government to drop its decision of designating the area as a permanent special agricultural zone and stop the acquisition process completely," he asserted.
Local planning authorities, including the Bangalore International Airport Area Planning Authority (BIAAPA) and the Satellite Town Ring Road Planning Authority (STRRPA), have been directed to incorporate this zoning into their masterplans. Furthermore, the designation has been officially recorded in column 11 of the RTC (Records of Rights, Tenancy and Crops), a critical land record document.
The ongoing situation underscores the persistent tensions between industrial development initiatives and agricultural land rights in the region, with farmers steadfast in their demand for clarity and fairness in government policies.
