About 8,500 acres in the villages of Byramangala, Hosur, Kachaganahalli, Harahallisandra and surrounding villages including some sub-villages was acquired. The project was envisaged by incumbent Union Minister of Large Scale Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy when he was the Chief Minister in 2006-07 before it went to dormant state
BENGALURU: Chief Minister‑designate D.K. Shivakumar is under pressure from farmers of Bidadi in his native Bengaluru South district over steps to acquire 8,500 acres of farmland for the proposed Bidadi Townships Project — billed as the country’s first AI city — which has remained dormant for nearly 15 years. All set to take oath as Chief Minister on Wednesday, Shivakumar belongs to Doddalahalli and represents Kanakapura Assembly seat in Bengaluru South.
About 8,500 acres in villages including Byramangala, Hosur, Kachaganahalli, Harahallisandra and surrounding hamlets are earmarked. The project was envisaged by incumbent Union Minister of Large Scale Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy when he was Chief Minister in 2006‑07 before falling into limbo.
Reviving the plan, the Congress government that returned to power in 2023 began issuing preliminary notices to farmers, fixing compensation between ₹2 crore and ₹2.55 crore per acre. Farmers are unhappy with Shivakumar’s determination to complete the project.
One of the protest leaders, Prakash of Byramangala, told Deccan Chronicle the project would displace about 5,000 families and affect 17,000 people. “Farmers here are content with their earnings from land. Most depend on animal husbandry, grow silk cocoons in large quantities, and cultivate coconut and bananas on vast tracts,” he said. “The region is blessed with ample water to irrigate the lands.”
“Milk production from these villages is a major contributor to the Karnataka Milk Federation,” Prakash added, urging Shivakumar to shelve the project in farmers’ interest.
Opposition is strongest among small and marginal farmers, while big landholders have largely consented to acquisition. Prakash said farmers fearing displacement have made representations to outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and the Deputy Commissioner, but with little effect.
