The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has made the decision to establish its next major industrial town around Sarjapur, located within Bengaluru Urban district, after being absent from Bengaluru for many years. The decision, made during its last board meeting on February 20, entails the formation of a 647-acre layout across six villages bordering Tamil Nadu. Despite the increased demand from industries to establish their businesses in Bengaluru, this move may face strong opposition as it contradicts the government's efforts to alleviate congestion in the city.
As per the document accessed by DH, KIADB approved the proposal to create an industrial park in six villages situated between Attibele and Sarjapur, citing the heightened demand from industries to operate in Bengaluru. The villages earmarked for the new township are Bikkanahalli, S Medahalli, Adigara Kallahalli, Sollepura, Muthanallur Amanikere, and Handenahalli, all falling under Sarjapur hobli of Anekal taluk. KIADB has reportedly issued a preliminary notification for the acquisition of these properties one month after the board's approval.
During its meeting, KIADB highlighted the significant demand from industrialists to establish their ventures in Bengaluru, emphasizing the scarcity of available land. Industrial parks such as Bommasandra, Jigani, Dommasandra link road, Attibele, Veerasandra, and Electronics City, collectively spanning over 3,316 acre, have reportedly reached full capacity. The report from KIADB's special land acquisition officer, presented during the board meeting, identified the villages as ideal for establishing an industrial park, noting that much of the land is either "agricultural" or "vacant," with minimal development in the region and the national highway situated approximately 5 km away.
The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) expressed its support for the proposal, emphasising the necessity for additional industrial townships equipped with essential amenities such as roads, grid power, and water. Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, president of the chamber, stated, "The hardware park in Bagalur was the last industrial town developed by KIADB in Bengaluru."
A senior KIADB official assured that farmers would receive compensation in accordance with the 2014 Act, equivalent to market rates, thereby minimizing resistance from landowners. He further mentioned that KIADB would finance the acquisition costs by allocating or auctioning existing vacant lands.
