By Chairman N.a. Haris

Copyright thehindu

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on Thursday unveiled four new compensation structures for farmers whose land will be acquired for the 74-km Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC), earlier known as the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR). However, farmers have stood firm, demanding compensation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

The long-delayed project, requiring 2,650 acres across 18 villages, had notified acquirable lands in 2005. Progress, however, has been stalled as farmers continue to express dissatisfaction with the proposed compensation.

On Thursday, the BDA held a meeting with affected farmers, chaired by Chairman N.A. Haris, BBC Chairman L.K. Atheeq, and BDA Commissioner P. Manivannan.

Mr. Atheeq proposed that in the 100-m-wide stretch, eight-lane roads would be constructed, along with service roads on both sides, totally measuring 65 m, including a 5-m median. The remaining 35 m, divided on either side, would be developed into commercial spaces, which would also be offered to the farmers.

Under the new compensation structure, the BDA is offering four options: Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for the acquired land, Transferable Development Rights (TDR) corresponding to market value, land-to-land compensation (the usual BDA method), and compensation under the 2013 Act (market value of 2005).

However, the FAR option will benefit only farmers losing a portion of their land, not those losing it entirely. Additionally, farmers are strongly opposed to the TDR model, calling it a real estate expansion scheme that does not favour them.

In the land-to-land option, BDA is offering developed land elsewhere, such as in the Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth layout. A farmer immediately responded: “You have been incapable of providing proper roads to K.G. Layout. How can we trust you with this?”

Srinivas Mavallipura, president of the association of farmers affected by the BBC, explained that while the fourth option promises compensation under the 2013 Act, the formula in Schedule 1 of the Act would result in very low payouts. According to BDA, they are willing to pay three times the prescribed value for rural lands and twice the guidance value for urban lands.

Hemanth, the advocate representing the farmers, told The Hindu that when BDA calculates the guidance value, it uses the market price from when the land was notified, in this case, 2005. The calculation considers the highest market value between 2003 and 2005.

“Since then, land prices in the area have increased multifolds. If compensation is provided based on market value between 2023 and 2025, the farmers are ready to accept it,” he said.

Farmers also raised other concerns. In the same area, the Suburban Rail Project paid compensation up to ₹6 crore, whereas the BDA is offering just ₹3 crore, which they claim is unfair.

Amid these concerns, Mr. Haris suggested that the farmers hold an internal meeting and revert to the authorities. The Chief Minister and the Bengaluru Development Minister will soon meet farmer leaders to resolve the issue. Haris reiterated that the Congress government is committed to getting the project underway and is taking all necessary measures.

“Give us poison”

Gautam Chandra Jain, vice-president of the BBC farmers association, criticised the government’s approach, saying, “Instead of killing us slowly like this, why don’t you give us poison? Please give us some drops of poison.”

He lamented the city’s infrastructure, adding: “Even to come here, we crossed 150 potholes in this major city. Why do you want more development when you can’t maintain the existing infrastructure?”

Another farmer questioned: “When you can’t provide proper compensation, why are you investing so much in Tunnel Road in Bengaluru?”