Bengaluru: Anxiety is mounting among farmers in several villages south of Bengaluru after the Karnataka government indicated that land is being identified in the region for the proposed second international airport. Residents fear that thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land could be acquired, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families.
Farmer organisations have begun mobilising across the affected villages, warning of an intensified protest if the project moves forward without adequate consultation.
Farmers unite against land acquisition
Residents of Choodahalli, Naganayakanahalli, Kaggalipura, Chinnakurchi, Nelaguli, Kodiyala, Karenahalli and neighbouring villages held a meeting on Sunday, where representatives from more than 10 villages resolved not to surrender their land for the proposed airport.
The groups also decided to conduct village-level consultations before announcing the next phase of their agitation.
Survey activities trigger concern
According to local farmers, survey teams have recently been carrying out inspections in Choodahalli and nearby villages using drones for land mapping, conducting soil tests and marking select locations.
Byrappa, a farmer from the area, said officials informed villagers that the exercise was only a preliminary assessment and that no final decision had been taken. However, the absence of an official clarification has fuelled uncertainty among residents.
Thousands of families fear displacement
The concerns intensified after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently stated that land was being identified in southern Bengaluru for the proposed airport.
Farmers claim that nearly 4,655 acres around Choodahalli, Naganayakanahalli, Uttarahalli, Nelaguli, Kaggalipura, Chinnakurchi, Seegehalli, Kodiyala and neighbouring villages are under consideration. They estimate that acquisition of such a large area could affect 3,000 to 4,000 farming families across nearly 20 villages.
Sources also indicate that two other locations—covering around 4,376 acres in the Somanahalli region and 4,695 acres near Gudemaranahalli between Nelamangala and Kunigal—are being studied as possible alternatives.
Farmers seek clarity from government
Residents say they are not opposed to development but want transparency before any decision is taken. They have urged the government to clarify the purpose of the ongoing surveys and whether land acquisition is being planned.
The region is predominantly agrarian, with farmers cultivating ragi, jowar, coconut, arecanut and mango, while dairy farming remains a major source of income. Many fear that losing fertile farmland would permanently affect both livelihoods and the rural economy.