Former PM H. D. Deve Gowda opposes land acquisition for proposed Bidadi township, DKS hits back

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has opposed the Greater Bangalore Development Authority’s (GBDA) plan to acquire 10,000 acres of agricultural land in Bidadi Hobli, Ramanagara district, for a new township project.

 

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deve Gowda termed the proposed acquisition a "conspiracy" against farmers and urged the government to immediately halt the project. 

 

Highlighting that much of Ramanagara’s agricultural land had already been acquired for industrial development, Gowda said any further acquisitions would destroy the livelihoods of thousands of small and marginal farmers engaged in agriculture, dairy, horticulture, and sericulture. He also pointed out that government agencies like the Karnataka Housing Board had previously acquired vast tracts of farmers’ land around Bidadi for housing projects. 

 

“The remaining agricultural land is critical for the survival of poor farmers. Acquiring it for urban projects will cause irreparable environmental and social damage,” said Gowda who also warned of rural youth being pushed into unemployment and hardship.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K.  Shivakumar defended the township project stating that it would create a model city surpassing even Bengaluru in planning and infrastructure.

 

Shivakumar said the new township would be inspired by the planned designs of Delhi and Chandigarh and the farmers would be given a "fair" monetary benefit as compensation or developed plots. 

 

Taking a dig at Gowda's son and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shivakumar asked, "Why did the JD(S) not denotify land during H.D. Kumaraswamy’s two terms as chief minister, despite initiating plans for townships in Nandagudi, Bidadi, and Sathnur. It was during Kumaraswamy’s tenure that DLF even deposited ₹300 crore for these projects. Subsequently, the BJP government had later returned the money. Why didn’t they drop the plan then? Deve Gowda must answer,” Shivakumar added. 

 

Refusing to halt the project, Shivakumar said, “Politically, they oppose everything. I will not denotify the land. I have no need to face any more baseless allegations.”

 

It may be recalled that Shivakumar's plan to rename the Ramanagara district as "Bengaluru South district," was rejected by the Centre. Shivakumar had hoped that renaming would accelerate growth in the neighbouring district owing to the Brand Bengaluru. But Kumaraswamy suspected a ploy by Shivakumar to spike the real estate prices in his home district. 

India