KIADB files caveat to ‘safeguard’ Sarjapur technological park in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Industries Area Development Board (KIADB) has filed a caveat petition in the High Court to safeguard its ambitious plan of developing a 1,000-acre tech park, named SWIFT City, across seven villages in the Sarjapur region of Bengaluru Urban district.

The move underscores the KIADB’s determination to proceed with the project despite mounting resistance from local residents who fear displacement and loss of livelihood.

The caveat, filed under Section 148-A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, comes as the board begins acquiring approximately 650 acres of land, with a final notification expected soon. A preliminary notification for an additional 400 acres has also been issued.

The proposed tech park will encompass land in villages such as Bikkanahalli, S Medahalli, Aligarh Kallahalli, Sollepura, Murthanallur Amanikere, Handenahalli, and Hosahalli, located in Sarjapur hobli of Anekal taluk.

Legal & local pushback

Since the preliminary notifications were issued, numerous landowners, including farmers, have filed legal petitions opposing the acquisition. The caveat ensures that KIADB's arguments will be heard before any court orders or judgments are passed.

Officials admitted that similar projects have stalled in the past due to protests by land-losers.

Concerns voiced 

While officials assure compensation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, locals are anxious about losing fertile agricultural land.

“Sarjapur-Anekal is among the most fertile areas near Bengaluru, producing 30–40 per cent of the vegetables consumed in the city,” said Swaroop Reddy, joint secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. “The government should protect this land instead of destroying it. Many of those losing land depend on agriculture, sericulture, and horticulture for their livelihood.”