Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday challenged former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and his son, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, to an open debate within three days over the proposed Rs 18,000-crore Bidadi township project. This comes after Gowda levelled allegations of a "land mafia" involvement in the project.
Shivakumar Proposes Debate
"Kumaraswamy wanted a debate (on the Bidadi township project). Let him decide time and place. Gowda may join in, too," the deputy CM said, asserting that nearly 80% of farmers have given their consent to the project at Bidadi, an industrial enclave located 30 km from Bengaluru.
Shivakumar stated that village-wise final notifications for land acquisition will be issued in three days, and the government is set to begin handing out compensation from early June.
Project Details and Controversy
The project, approved by the state cabinet on April 30, proposes to acquire 7,481 acres across nine villages in Ramanagara taluk of Bengaluru South district. Kumaraswamy has accused the government of turning the township into an "official real estate business" and demanded an immediate halt to land acquisition.
Both Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy hail from Ramanagara district and wield significant influence over local farmers.
Shivakumar's Rebuttal
Kanakapura MLA Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, told reporters after meeting a section of farmers that the township proposal was originally notified during Kumaraswamy's tenure as Chief Minister. "This is not something I initiated. The project had been given to DLF, which walked out saying it was not viable," he said.
Farmers noted that the township plans have been languishing since 2006. "The land had been red-zoned so there is no buying or selling," said Alasandra Srinivas, a farmer from Bidadi. "Finally, there is a headway in compensation: more than Rs 2 crore per acre," he added.
H Rajanna, a farmer leader and taluk panchayat member from Bidadi who participated in the meeting with Shivakumar, confirmed that compensation has been fixed at up to Rs 2.5 crore per acre. Additionally, Cauvery water will be provided to the area, he added.
Shivakumar Advises Farmers
The deputy CM urged Kumaraswamy, who handles the steel portfolio in the Union government, to focus on reducing steel and cement prices instead of criticising the township project.
Shivakumar also advised farmers against immediate sale of land, arguing that prices will see a sharp rise once the project takes off. "I explained to them that since we are giving compensation to farmers, they should not rush to sell their land because they do not yet understand the future value of this area," he said.
Infrastructure Plans
According to Shivakumar, the township will be linked through a 40 km network from Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru-Mysuru Road and NICE Road, apart from integration with the Satellite Town Ring Road.
