Bengaluru, July 15: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has clarified that farmers’ land will not be forcibly acquired for the proposed Bidadi Township Project (BTP). Amid ongoing controversy, he announced that the government will form an expert committee within the next two to three months to review the project’s legal and other aspects.
During a press conference held at Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister stated that the Bidadi Township is not his “dream project,” nor did he initiate it. He accused political opponents of misleading farmers and conspiring against them.
“I am not in a hurry. I leave the decision to the farmers. There is a relationship of trust between the farmers and me. The committee will listen to farmers’ objections, investigate legal aspects, and only after the report is submitted will the government make a decision,” he said.
Shivakumar emphasized that this project is a continuation of decisions made by previous governments. “This is not my dream project. I have never claimed it nor laid its foundation. I am merely following the decisions of past governments and the suggestions of farmers and senior leaders,” he added.
Identifying himself as a “son of a farmer,” Shivakumar expressed his understanding of farmers’ issues and assured that he does not intend to trouble any farmer.
“I may not have farmed myself, but I understand the difficulties faced by farmers. Those who wish to give their land may do so, but those who do not want to will not be forced,” he stated.
The plan to develop satellite townships around Bengaluru was initiated on September 23, 2006, during the tenure of then Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. At that time, proposals were made to develop five satellite towns, including Nandagudi, Kasaba, Ramanagara Taluk, Bidadi, Solur, and Sathanur.
Shivakumar noted that subsequent governments, led by H.D. Kumaraswamy and B.S. Yediyurappa, advanced this project through the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) and invited global tenders under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
He accused the Kumaraswamy government of declaring the proposed project area as a ‘red zone’ in 2006, halting land transactions, and issuing a letter of intent to private company DLF after receiving a deposit of ₹400 crores.
He questioned, “Who engaged in real estate business here?” implying former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his family.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government will not forcibly take any farmer’s land. “Whether I remain in the Chief Minister’s chair or someone else does, this project is a continuation of previous governments’ decisions. Farmers who wish to give land may do so, but there will be no pressure on those who do not,” he assured.
It is noteworthy that farmer organizations and opposition parties continue to oppose the Bidadi Township Project. The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) have accused the state government of attempting to acquire agricultural land without adequate consultation. However, the state government maintains that a final decision on the project will be made only after extensive discussions with farmers and other stakeholders.
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