Farmers’ groups demand withdrawal of Bidadi township project, oppose acquisition of 9,640 acres

Karnataka Farmers Protest Against Bidadi Integrated Satellite Township Project

A coalition of farmers, workers, dalits and student groups in Karnataka, known as Samyukta Horata, have called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Bidadi Integrated Satellite Township project and cancellation of the ongoing land acquisition process.

Reasons Behind the Protest

• The project would destroy fertile agricultural land and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
• The project is deemed "anti-farmer" and environmentally destructive.

About the Project

The proposed project involves the acquisition of nearly 9,640 acres of land in Ramanagara district, spread across 25 villages under Byramangala and Kanchugaranahalli gram panchayat limits in Bidadi hobli.

Impact on the Region

• The region serves as an important agricultural belt, supplying milk, fruits, vegetables and other essential produce to Bengaluru.
• Several farming families in the area have adopted mixed-cropping systems and established agriculture-linked small-scale industries, helping them sustain their livelihoods.

Farmers' Objections

• More than 3,500 small and marginal farmers have submitted written objections opposing the acquisition.
• The government has failed to consider or hear the objections raised by the farmers.

Demands of Samyukta Horata - Karnataka

The organisation has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to immediately halt the acquisition process, calling the move "authoritarian" and a violation of democratic rights.

Quotes from the Farmer Leader

Badagalapura Nagendra, a farmer leader, said:

Bengaluru has already suffered due to unchecked urban expansion, with agricultural lands being converted into layouts and apartment complexes lacking adequate infrastructure.

He urged environmentalists, writers, policymakers and citizens to oppose projects that would further intensify ecological damage around Bengaluru.