Devanahalli farmers offered record Rs 2.70 crore per acre for aerospace park expansion

On Wednesday, the Land Price Determination Advisory Committee recommended a record-breaking compensation package of Rs 2.70 crore per acre to acquire 120 acres of land in Gokarebacchenahalli and Hyadala villages in Devanahalli taluk for the Phase 2 expansion of the Aerospace and Defence Park. The decision, made during a joint meeting of officials and landowners at Aravinda Bhavan in Bengaluru, marks a shift to a voluntary land purchase model following years of local protests.

The targeted land is spread across Gokarebacchenahalli and Hyadala villages within Channarayapatna Hobli, located adjacent to the Kempegowda International Airport. The new compensation package is exclusively earmarked for landowners who have voluntarily stepped forward to sell their property for the industrial expansion.

Under the newly proposed model, landowners who do not wish to receive the monetary payout can opt for developed land instead. For every acre of agricultural land acquired, farmers can receive 10,781 square feet of developed area—approximately one-fourth of an acre—within the industrial park.

According to sources in the Industries Department, many local farmers are choosing to pursue these development rights rather than accepting the direct cash compensation. Officials noted that landowners have observed how farmers in neighbouring areas thrived after their land was acquired, with some earning more than four times their land's original value by constructing commercial buildings or converting properties into warehouses.

The voluntary model represents a significant policy shift for the state. Last July, the Karnataka government was forced to cancel its initial plans to acquire 1,777 acres of farmland across 13 villages following relentless local protests that spanned over three years. The deadlock resolved recently when some farmers approached the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to offer their land voluntarily.

A notice issued by the Industries Department confirmed that farmers had voluntarily agreed to the acquisition, and a final notification was published under the KIADB Act on June 16. The record recommendation from Wednesday's meeting will now be submitted to the KIADB for final approval. Officials stated that this compensation is the highest ever offered in the Devanahalli region, demonstrating a commitment to providing fair terms to affected farmers.