AI township: Farmers offering land, says CM Shivakumar in a counter to Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: A group of farmers from villages around Bidadi on Tuesday offered to give up their land for the proposed AI township amid the JD(S)-BJP campaign against the project led by Union minister HD Kumaraswamy.

About 100 farmers met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha, while another 250 were present outside, offering their land, the CM said. The development came a day after police stopped a JD(S)-BJP padayatra from Bidadi to Bengaluru against the proposed land acquisition.

The delegation included farmers from Byramangala and Kanchugaranahalli, who said their lands were not included in the acquisition notification issued for the project. They urged the government to include their properties and free them from the existing red-zone restrictions, Shivakumar said.


Also read: AI township: Shivakumar offers Rs 3 crore-plus per acre as JD(S)-BJP padayatra begins

The farmers told the government they were willing to accept either cash compensation or developed plots equivalent to half of the land surrendered, the CM said. He added that he had directed officials to examine their request and accept land from farmers willing to part with it.

The farmers sought speedy compensation and said inclusion in the project would help them come out of the red-zone classification, a statement from the CM’s office said.

The latest offer from farmers comes days after Shivakumar announced a compensation package of Rs 3 crore or more per acre for landowners willing to surrender land for the AI township. Those unwilling to take cash compensation can opt for developed plots equivalent to 50% of the land acquired, he said.

Shivakumar has also maintained that the government will not forcibly acquire land for the project.

Also read: Karnataka CM announces review of AI township project as farmer protests grows

The farmers’ move comes as Kumaraswamy, who represents neighbouring Mandya in the Lok Sabha and is a former CM, steps up opposition to the township. The JD(S) and BJP have sought to mobilise farmers against the project, arguing that the proposed acquisition would affect their landholdings.

The proposed township, estimated to cost more than Rs 18,200 crore, requires about 7,481 acres across nine villages in the Bidadi-Ramanagara and Harohalli areas of Bengaluru South district. The government plans to develop it as an AI-focused urban and technology hub, with the stated objective of attracting investment and creating jobs in emerging technologies.