Govt to probe land acquisition for airport project

Karnataka government would probe the allegation of farmers that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) allotted part of the land acquired by the board for an airport project to the Deshpande Foundation. KIADB has allegedly acquired over 700 acre land from farmers for the expansion of the Hubli airport while the actual requirement was 600 acre. The farmers allege that the excess land was being given to the Deshpande Foundation and other organisations and violating rules. Now, the state government would find out under what notification the KIADB had acquired the land and if there was legal provision to either allot it to another organisation or return them to the original owners. Meanwhile, the state government would expedite the process of acquisition of additional land required for widening the roads for the proposed BRTS between Hubli and Dharwad. In another development, the state government would consider a proposal to form new talukas in Dharward. Alnavar, Annigeri and Hubli-Dharwad city are three new taluks being proposed to be formed in Dharwad district. The erst-while BJP government is learnt to have annouinced the formation of 43 new taluks in the state.