HASSAN: Karnataka Excise Minister and Hassan district in-charge K.M. Shivalingegowda has urged Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to take up the long-pending proposal to establish an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Hassan, stating that 1,157 acres of land have been acquired for the project.
The demand has renewed attention on the proposed institution, which has remained a long-standing aspiration for the district. Although land was acquired for the project, the Centre has not sanctioned an IIT for Hassan. Shivalingegowda has called for efforts to secure the necessary approval so that the project can move forward.
Land acquired, but IIT approval remains pending
The proposed IIT project in Hassan has been discussed for nearly two decades. The State government acquired land through the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), with the intention of establishing the institution on the outskirts of Hassan city.
The acquired land is spread across seven villages and is located near National Highway 75. The site was considered suitable for an educational institution because of its connectivity and potential to support future development.
However, the proposed IIT did not receive the necessary approval from the Union government. Karnataka already has an IIT at Dharwad, but Hassan’s demand for a separate institute has continued to be raised by political representatives from the region.
Shivalingegowda’s appeal to Kumaraswamy is aimed at bringing the proposal back into focus and seeking the Centre’s support for its implementation.
Long-standing demand from Hassan leaders
Several political leaders from Hassan have repeatedly urged the Union government to establish an IIT in the district. Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda has also advocated retaining the land for the institution rather than diverting it for other purposes.
In April 2026, Deve Gowda appealed to Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil to preserve the land earmarked for the IIT and Hassan airport. He raised concerns over proposals to use a portion of the land for industrial purposes.
The issue has also drawn attention because of the long period between land acquisition and the proposed project’s implementation. Leaders have argued that the land should be used for the purpose for which it was acquired or that the concerns of affected landowners should be addressed.
Farmers continue to seek resolution
The land acquisition has had a lasting impact on farmers from the affected villages. In June 2026, representatives of farmers from seven villages met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s deputy, D.K. Shivakumar, seeking clarity on compensation and other pending matters.
Farmers reportedly raised concerns over delays in compensation payments and the provision of developed residential sites. Some have also sought the return or denotification of portions of the acquired land.
The State government has said that the grievances must be examined in accordance with court orders and applicable legal procedures. The issue involves both the future use of the acquired land and the need to resolve the claims of people whose properties were taken for the proposed development.
Centre’s decision key to moving project forward
The establishment of an IIT requires approval and support from the Union government. While the State can facilitate land availability and other preparatory arrangements, the project cannot proceed as a sanctioned IIT campus without the necessary central approval.
Shivalingegowda’s appeal to Kumaraswamy therefore places renewed focus on coordination between the State and Union governments. If the proposal receives approval, the acquired land could provide a foundation for further planning and development.
An IIT in Hassan could potentially strengthen access to higher technical education in the region and create opportunities for research, innovation and associated economic activity. However, the timeline for the project remains uncertain until the Centre takes a decision.
For now, the key issues are securing approval for the proposed institution, determining the future of the acquired land and addressing the outstanding concerns of affected farmers. The latest appeal adds to the continuing efforts by Hassan’s representatives to revive the long-pending project.