Bengaluru: Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has barred non-agricultural activity on parcels of land near Jangamakote in Chikkaballapur district, that were recently dropped from being acquired by the govt. This decision is expected to apply to acquisitions in future, KIADB officials said. Last week, KIADB issued a final notification to acquire over 555 acres in Basavapattana and Nadapanayakanahalli villages, around 50km from Bengaluru, for the proposed Sir M Visvesvaraya Deep Tech Park. In June 2024, the board had identified 2,823 acres across 13 villages near Jangamakote. Following protests from farmers over acquisition of fertile land, KIADB dropped more than 470 acres from the process. For now, the final notification covers only 555 acres in two villages. Notifications for the remaining parcels in 11 villages are expected soon. The govt plans to develop a major deep tech park in the region, focusing on sectors such as space, semiconductor technology, robotics, medical devices, electric vehicles, drones, high-tech electronics manufacturing, aerospace and defence. Industries minister MB Patil recently said proximity to a metro city and an international airport makes the location suitable for high-tech industries. But farmers from villages around Jangamakote met last week and resolved to intensify their agitation until the govt completely withdraws land acquisition in the area. Bhaktarahalli Byregowda, state working president of Hasiru Sene Raita Sangha, said farmers were unwilling to part with their land to private companies. He said they plan to organise a massive protest on March 9 or 10 to press the govt to scrap acquisition in and around Jangamakote. Byregowda also objected to the condition restricting the use of dropped land to agricultural purposes. He said similar restrictions were first imposed in Channarayapatna in Devanahalli and are now being extended to Jangamakote. Alleging exploitation, he said that while there was once only one East India Company, there are now hundreds of such entities operating with political backing. “No govt is in favour of farmers. In the name of development, farmers’ land is being taken away. Farmers must stay united to stop this,” he said.
