Udupi: Locals oppose 80 Badagabettu's conversion into industrial zone

Sheeja Moodubelle
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Aug 1: Even as the government's ambitious plan to set up an ultra mega power project in Niddodi in Dakshina Kannada district continues to draw flak from various quarters, another proposal - to convert 80 Badagabettu in Udupi into an industrial zone - has been met with strong opposition from the locals.

When Daijiworld spoke to some of the local people, it turned out that all of them objected to the government's proposal.

First, the actual issue:

In 1991, a master plan was prepared for the area, according to which, portions of 80 Badagabettu were divided into agricultural zone, industrial zone, ITBT and deemed forest. The proposal was passed in the year 2008.

Athrady, Badagabettu, Kapiyadi, Perke, Balukatta including Beerangi - altogether 282 to 289 acres - come under the industrial zone. In 1991, there were only 15 to 20 houses here. But as this part of the area is just 4 km away from Manipal, the development was drastically fast.

Now there are around 350 to 400 houses valuing at Rs 25 lac each. In 2001, before confirming the allocation of land for the industrial zone, a notice was published in an English daily stating that any objection to the plan could be conveyed to the government, but as it was published in English daily no one knew about it and hence no one objected, after which the allocation was confirmed.

Most of the developers knew that it was an industrial zone, yet they found a way to convert the land into residential plots and sold them. For conversion they went to Bangalore and got permission from the CMC.

After effect:

On June 6 this year, another statement from the industrial officer was published in the local news paper (a Kannada daily) that 80 Badagubettu industrial area will be set up soon.

This time, the impact was huge as there was political pressure as well as public pressure to stop the allocation of land for the project.

On June 20, a meeting was called where public unanimously opposed the project and accused the local officials (ZP president, PDOs and others) of deliberately keeping it hidden from the public.

"Being people's representatives it is their responsibility to notify us," they said.

M T Reju, DC visited the place and assured the residents that nothing would happen as the government will not forcibly impose any plans without public consent. However, many officials have been visiting the spot, creating panic among the locals.

Panchayat member Sathyanat alleged that the decision over the proposed plan was taken without informing the villagers; nor was the issue discussed in the gram sabha. He demanded that the government should pass a resolution against the proposal.

Residents oppose:

A few youngsters in the village said that they have witnessed bad instances of industrialization like the UPCL. "The proposed Niddodi project is also like the UPCL. In future if industries find land here they will not spare our beautiful village," they said.

Ganesh Bhat said that he stays at Kapiyadi and owns 3.57 acres of land. He is a farmer who had lost his 10 acres of land when MRPL project came into existence. "I then purchased land here some years back. Other than farming I do not know anything. We have invested everything in this land, we cannot leave the place no matter what," he said.

There are high tension wires passing over the agricultural lands here. If industrial projects are set in the villages, the residents may suffer huge loss.

Vasanth Kamath said, “It is not the matter of one family. Nearly 300 families would lose their shelter. We will never allow this to happen. There are coconut, arecanut plantations with paddy as the main cultivation. Most of the people here depend on farming.”

Panchayat president Sri Devi said, “We are trying our utmost to stop the project and will do our best to protect the land.”

“The urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake has assured to withdraw the proposal. As the issue comes under his ministry, he can initiate measures to withdraw the proposal,” said EO Manjunathayya.

Jana Jagrathi Samithi had submitted a memorandum to MP Jayaprakash Hegde at Kapiyadi Shree Durgamba Bhavani Temple on July 28. The minister assured that big industries will not come here and the government will be asked to reconsider the issue. He also assured the government is with them.