Bidadi farmers up in arms against Greater Bengaluru Project

NT Correspondent

Ramanagara: Farmers from Bidadi launched a protest against the Greater Bengaluru Authority Bill, which was passed by the state government recently. They demanded that the government halt the land acquisition process, claiming that the initiative was a move to snatch the land of farmers in the name of development. The government's decision to bring 24 villages from Bidadi under the jurisdiction of Greater Bengaluru has faced significant backlash from local farmers.

They expressed their outrage, claiming that the government was exploiting them in the name of development. Over 500 farmers gathered near the Madduramma temple in Hosuru to condemn the government's stance. The Bill got the cabinet’s approval to develop townships in over 9,600 acres of land near Bidadi, in partnership with farmers and the Greater Bengaluru Authority. However, this plan involves acquiring private land, which will result in 3,072 people losing their properties. Despite the government claiming that the plan is to be executed in collaboration with farmers, it has not sought the opinion of any farmers so far, they alleged. Farmers fear that if the government goes ahead with the project, thousands of acres of their agricultural land and approximately 10 lakh trees will be cut. They urged the government to preserve agricultural land for the sake of their livelihood. The land identified by the government is considered fertile and suitable for agriculture, providing livelihood to countless farmers. Currently, this area produces about six lakh litres of milk daily, and farmers earn up to ?50,000 per month through horticulture and sericulture.

With the project unexpectedly being pushed forward, farmers are anxious about their future. Today's meeting was a preparation for a major protest, as they plan to walk from Bidadi to the Ramanagara deputy commissioner's office by the end of March. Farmers expressed strong opposition to the government’s intentions for new township developments through the Greater Bengaluru project. It remains to be seen whether the government will address the farmers' concerns or reconsider the land acquisition process.