KIADB Implements Land Use Restrictions in Chikkaballapur Amid Acquisition Controversy
The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has officially prohibited all non-agricultural activities on parcels of land near Jangamakote in Chikkaballapur district. This land was recently excluded from the government's acquisition process for a major industrial project. According to KIADB officials, this restrictive decision is expected to set a precedent for future land acquisition cases across the state.
Details of the Land Acquisition and Reduction
Last week, KIADB issued a final notification to acquire over 555 acres of land in Basavapattana and Nadapanayakanahalli villages, located approximately 50 kilometers from Bengaluru. This acquisition is specifically for the proposed Sir M Visvesvaraya Deep Tech Park, a high-profile industrial initiative. Earlier, in June 2024, the board had identified a much larger area of 2,823 acres across 13 villages near Jangamakote for potential acquisition.
However, following sustained and vocal protests from local farmers who were concerned about the loss of fertile agricultural land, KIADB made a significant concession by dropping more than 470 acres from the acquisition process. Consequently, the current final notification now covers only the 555 acres in the two aforementioned villages. Notifications for the remaining land parcels in the other 11 villages are anticipated to be released in the near future.
The Vision for the Sir M Visvesvaraya Deep Tech Park
The Karnataka government has ambitious plans to develop a major deep tech park in this region, with a strategic focus on cutting-edge sectors. The park is designed to attract industries in:
- Space technology and aerospace
- Semiconductor manufacturing and design
- Robotics and automation systems
- Advanced medical devices and healthcare technology
- Electric vehicles and sustainable mobility solutions
- Drone technology and unmanned systems
- High-tech electronics manufacturing
- Defense and security technologies
Industries Minister MB Patil recently emphasized the location's advantages, noting that its proximity to Bengaluru, a major metro city, and the Kempegowda International Airport makes it exceptionally suitable for high-tech industries seeking connectivity and talent.
Farmer Resistance and Planned Agitation
Despite the government's vision, farmers from the villages surrounding Jangamakote are mounting strong opposition. In a meeting held last week, they resolved to intensify their agitation until the government completely withdraws all land acquisition plans in the area. Bhaktarahalli Byregowda, the state working president of the Hasiru Sene Raita Sangha, articulated the farmers' stance clearly.
"Farmers are fundamentally unwilling to part with their ancestral and fertile land for private companies," Byregowda stated. He announced plans to organize a massive protest on March 9 or 10 to pressure the government into scrapping the acquisition plans in and around Jangamakote entirely.
Controversy Over Land Use Restrictions
Byregowda also raised strong objections to KIADB's new condition that restricts the use of the dropped land solely to agricultural purposes. He pointed out that similar restrictions were first imposed in Channarayapatna in Devanahalli and are now being extended to Jangamakote, which he views as a form of exploitation.
"While historically there was only one East India Company, today there are hundreds of such entities operating with political backing," he alleged, drawing a parallel to colonial-era land grabs. "No government truly acts in favour of farmers. In the name of development, farmers' land is systematically being taken away. It is imperative for farmers to stay united to stop this injustice."
The situation remains tense as the KIADB moves forward with its industrial plans while farmers prepare for large-scale demonstrations, highlighting the ongoing conflict between developmental ambitions and agricultural livelihoods in Karnataka's growth corridors.
