Close on the heels of the JD(S) and BJP’s joint padayatra, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday, for the first time, indicated that the compensation for land losers in Bidadi could go up to ₹3 crore an acre, while the perceived cap so far has been ₹2.55 crore an acre.

In a social media post, Mr. Shivakumar said that the government had decided to provide compensation exceeding ₹3 crore per acre. However, sources in the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), the project’s implementing agency, confirmed that this was a “rare possibility”.

Documents accessed by The Hindu show that the committee set up to assess the compensation amount had capped the maximum compensation for land losers at ₹2.55 crore per acre, while the minimum cap was ₹2.07 crore.

However, the committee has added a clause allowing the maximum cap to be raised, according to the documents reviewed by The Hindu. The clause states, “In a case where the compensation amount goes up more than the set limit in any survey number due to high guidance value, then the compensation may be given as per the guidance value.”

Vaderahalli survey number

As per the document, Bairamangala has the highest cap at ₹2.55 crore as per the base value. During a recent audit, the GBDA found that the value of one of the lands in Vaderahalli was ₹90 lakh per acre, which would be further increased when other parameters are applied while calculating the compensation.

When the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013 (FCTLARR Act), is applied, the government has to increase the rate to three times the guidance value, along with 12% interest. In addition, the GBDA is providing a 10% consent award during the land acquisition. When calculated, the compensation for the survey number valued at ₹90 lakh will therefore exceed ₹3 crore. However, according to GBDA sources, there is only one case so far involving this provision.

Union Minister reacts

Mr. Shivakumar indicated that the compensation could exceed the existing cap just before the padayatra began on Sunday, in an apparent counter to the Opposition. “Farmers who prefer land over money will be allotted 50% of the developed land. This land acquisition process is entirely voluntary, with no coercion imposed on anyone unwilling to contribute land to the project,” he said.

Mr. Kumaraswamy questioned how the compensation amount had suddenly increased and why it had been raised.

In a similar development on Saturday, after the JD(S) announced the rally following a meeting with the BJP, the Chief Minister announced that a committee had been set up to assess the merits and demerits of the project and would submit its findings within a month.

Published - August 09, 2026 09:28 pm IST