Curation Team
BENGALURU: The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has come under intense backlash from civic groups, political leaders, and residents over its controversial decision to hand over 35 acres of prime land in Hebbal—earmarked previously for a multi-modal transit hub by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)—to a loss-making private developer.
The move, which considerably reduces the land available for a much-needed transport interchange, has triggered criticism, with many accusing the state govt and even the opposition BJP of siding with real estate interests at the cost of public infrastructure, disregarding public sentiment.
Netizens upset
Saikiran Rao posted on X: Can we not fight this robbery in the court of law? Not able to stop this is a shame for democracy. The ruling govt has proven multiple times that it has no shame or accountability.
Sunil Shahu: If the builders are paying Rs 12.1 crore per acre, then the per square foot cost would be Rs 2,777! I can buy 5,000sqft at Rs 3,000 per sqft along with all the stamp duty and registration at my own cost, and that too all in white! How do I bid for it? Do I need a minister’s reference to grab land at this rate?
Mohan Dasari, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): What a shame, KIADB? The public transport hub has been thrown into the dustbin for a crony builder, that too a defaulted one! DK Shivakumar avre, is this what Brand Bengaluru means?
Janardhan: I have said multiple times, KIADB is the largest real estate player in Karnataka! An acre in Hebbal would cost Rs 60 crore. The only agenda of KIADB is to buy land at a cheap price and sell it to private builders and make crores overnight (with a few percent pocketed by politicians).
Dev D: Regardless of the political party in power, they want to exploit our city, our people, our tax, but fail to provide good roads, more buses, or speedy implementation of Metro work. They want bribes but won’t complete the work also!
