Published Jul 15, 2026 | 3:26 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 15, 2026 | 3:26 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar maintained that the Bidadi Township was not his “dream project”.
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has assured that no farmer’s land will be acquired by force for the proposed Bidadi Township and announced a committee to review its merits and demerits. He said the township was not his “dream project”, but merely a continuation of proposals taken up by the HD Kumaraswamy and BS Yediyurappa governments.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that no farmer’s land would be acquired forcibly for the proposed Bidadi Township project, stating that landowners who do not wish to part with their land are free to continue farming.
Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, 14 July, the Chief Minister presented official records on the history of the project and said the government would not compel any farmer to surrender land.
Shivakumar, as a ‘son of a farmer’ himself, said he understood the hardships faced by cultivators and would never support any move that harmed their interests.
“Those who do not wish to give their land can continue farming. Those who are willing may voluntarily hand over their land to the government and receive compensation. But not even a single gunta of land will be acquired by force,” he added.
The Chief Minister also announced a committee to review the project, tasked with examining the implementation of the Bidadi Township and seeking feedback on its merits and concerns. He also assured that the status of land belonging to farmers who do not wish to part with it would not be changed.
The committee’s report will form the basis for the government’s next decision, which will be placed before the Cabinet.
Shivakumar also said he was distressed by villagers assaulting government staff earlier this week when they had gone to conduct a land survey. He alleged that officials were attacked due to political instigation and accused some people of misleading farmers.
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The Chief Minister maintained that the Bidadi Township was not his “dream project” and said he had never claimed credit for it or even laid its foundation stone.
“This is not my dream project. I have never called it my dream project, nor do I wish to be remembered as its architect. I am only carrying forward a project initiated by previous governments,” he said.
He also rebutted criticism by Union Minister of Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy and pointed out that the township proposal had originated during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Chief Minister.
“Our government has not taken away the livelihood of farmers or farmer families. There is absolutely no compulsion. We are only continuing a project initiated during the tenures of HD Kumaraswamy and BS Yediyurappa,” he said.
Shivakumar, citing official records, said that on 23 September 2006, a meeting chaired by then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy approved the development of five integrated townships around Bengaluru. He said the government later decided to invite global tenders under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the project.
He further said that in 2007, additional villages, including Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli, were included in the proposed township.
A Gazette notification issued on 20 November 2006 had declared the project area a “Red Zone”, prohibiting development without prior approval from the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), he added.
Shivakumar also alleged that the Kumaraswamy government had issued orders identifying compensation for properties, including houses in village settlements, and had permitted private developer DLF to participate in the project after collecting a security deposit of ₹400 crore.
“Now tell me, Kumaranna, who promoted the real estate business? Was it you or me?” the chief minister asked.
He said the township proposal was later pursued by the BS Yediyurappa government in 2010, which again invited global tenders under the PPP model.
