Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Dec 7: In a major pro-farmer decision, the Karnataka Government has officially withdrawn the acquisition of 1,777 acres of farmland in Channarayapatna village near Kempegowda International Airport, ending a three-year-long stand-off with local farmers. The move fulfils the assurance given by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his meeting with protesting farmers on July 15.
The decision was approved at the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday and announced by Law Minister H K Patil. “The Cabinet has resolved to drop the acquisition process despite several stages of completion,” Patil informed, adding that the government has also decided to designate the entire area as a Permanent Special Agriculture Zone to protect its green-zone status.
Proposal withdrawn after farmers’ agitation
The proposal placed before the Cabinet sought deletion of 1,777 acres and 21.5 guntas across 13 villages in Devanahalli Taluk from the acquisition process under the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act. The move also mandates the Urban Development Department and BIAPPA to incorporate the Special Agriculture Zone classification into the region’s Master Plan.
Farmers in the region had been protesting the project since 2021, resisting attempts to convert agricultural land into industrial space for Phase-II of the Aerospace Park. Their opposition intensified on June 25 this year after police allegedly used force to disperse demonstrators and arrested several leaders. National unions including Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Sangharsh Samiti condemned the police action.
Earlier notifications and political backdrop
The preliminary notification for acquisition was issued on August 27, 2021 during the BJP regime to create the second phase of the Aerospace Park. Final notifications were later issued by the Congress government on June 28, 2024 and April 19, 2025 for 1,281 acres. However, 495 acres across three villages remained without a final notification.
Farmers argued that earlier acquisitions for the Haralur Industrial Area, where over 6,000 acres were taken, left thousands displaced without proper compensation. “This is a gross violation of the ‘Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act – 2013’,” SKM had stated, criticising the Congress government for continuing the BJP-era decisions despite pre-election promises to reverse them.
Government cites rare, pro-farmer intervention
Congress minister K H Muniyappa said the decision was unprecedented. “There is no precedent for exclusion of land once notified for such acquisition. But in this case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Industries Minister M B Patil have made a pro-farmer decision,” he said.
The KIADB, in its appeal to the government, noted that farmers depend on these lands for livelihood, and requested the declaration of the entire stretch as a Permanent Special Agriculture Zone. The Cabinet note confirmed this recommendation, stating:
“Since the farmers have stated that they are cultivating this land and are dependent on it… the entire area should continue as a green zone.”
Aerospace sector still a priority
The government clarified that Karnataka remains committed to the aerospace and defence sector. “Karnataka contributes 25% to India’s aircraft and spacecraft industry and nearly 67% of all defence aircraft and helicopters,” the Cabinet note read. The state’s Aerospace and Defence Policy (2022–27) aims to attract Rs 45,000 crore in investments and generate 60,000 jobs.
Phase-I of the Aerospace Park in Devanahalli hosts major global players including Boeing, Airbus, HAL and Wipro. Expansion plans for Phase-II were tied to the policy’s objectives before being halted due to land acquisition resistance.
With the latest decision, the government signals a balancing approach between industrial growth and farmer rights—halting expansion plans for now while preserving one of Bengaluru Rural’s most fertile agricultural belts.