In a strong show of dissent, the Bengaluru Farmers’ Association has demanded the complete scrapping of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) Project, alleging that the scheme has lapsed and that landowners have been subjected to unfair compensation and administrative neglect. The association’s representatives staged demonstrations and submitted petitions to government authorities, claiming that the project, conceptualised nearly two decades ago, no longer holds legal or economic validity. Their protest has reignited long-standing debates about urban expansion, land acquisition, and the widening gap between development priorities and agrarian justice in Karnataka’s capital.
Background: The Long-Delayed Project
The Peripheral Ring Road Project, first proposed in 2005, was envisioned as a 74-kilometre orbital highway intended to decongest Bengaluru’s growing traffic and connect major national highways surrounding the city. The project was to be executed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), covering approximately 1,810 acres of land across several villages in northern and eastern Bengaluru.
However, the project faced repeated delays due to funding shortages, environmental clearances, and disputes over compensation. Over the years, changes in governments, fluctuating land values, and evolving urban policies have further complicated the process. Farmers now argue that the original land acquisition notification has expired, making the current proceedings legally untenable. They contend that the state’s insistence on reviving the project without revising its legal basis or compensation terms is an injustice to thousands of landowners who have been left in limbo.
Farmers’ Allegations: Expired Notifications and Unfair Compensation
At the heart of the farmers’ agitation lies a claim that the preliminary and final land acquisition notifications under the BDA Act of 1976 have long lapsed due to inaction. According to representatives, many land parcels identified for the project were neither acquired nor released, leaving farmers unable to cultivate, sell, or develop their own lands for over a decade.
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and affiliated farmer groups assert that compensation offered by the BDA is far below current market rates. While the market value of land in these areas has skyrocketed due to urbanisation, the compensation remains based on outdated valuations. Several farmers have accused officials of discriminatory practices, claiming that affluent landowners with political connections received preferential settlements while small and marginal farmers were sidelined.
They demand that the state government either completely scrap the project or initiate fresh acquisition proceedings under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, which mandates higher payouts and greater transparency.
BDA’s Stand: Development Over Delay
Officials from the Bangalore Development Authority, however, maintain that the Peripheral Ring Road Project remains essential to the city’s infrastructure growth. A BDA spokesperson stated that the project would “greatly reduce congestion in the city and serve as a vital link for future expansion.” According to the authority, procedural clearances and updated land acquisition efforts are underway to ensure that affected landowners are duly compensated.
The BDA also emphasised that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had expressed interest in financing portions of the project through soft loans, though these discussions have faced setbacks due to local resistance. The agency reiterated that it was following legal frameworks and that compensation payments would be disbursed as per government guidelines once disputes are resolved. Officials argue that the larger public interest—particularly decongesting Bengaluru’s traffic—should not be derailed by prolonged litigation and protests.
Political Reactions and Administrative Challenges
The controversy has taken a political turn, with opposition parties accusing the government of failing to protect farmers’ rights while promoting projects that primarily benefit real estate developers and contractors. Leaders from the BJP and JD(S) have criticised the Congress-led state government for what they call “selective development” that ignores rural stakeholders.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, has stated that his administration is reviewing the legal and environmental aspects of the project before proceeding. He assured that “no injustice will be done to any farmer” and that all compensation-related issues would be handled transparently. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the project’s continuation would depend on its financial viability and legal clarity. He added that the government was open to discussions with farmer associations to reach an amicable solution.
Legal and Environmental Concerns Surrounding the Project
Legal experts supporting the farmers argue that the PRR project has exceeded its statutory deadlines, rendering the acquisition process invalid. They highlight that under existing laws, land acquisition must be completed within a specified timeframe, failing which notifications automatically lapse. In several other states, courts have ruled similarly in favour of landowners, setting a precedent that farmers in Bengaluru hope will apply to their case.
Environmentalists have also raised serious objections. The proposed PRR alignment passes through eco-sensitive areas, including parts of the Rachenahalli and Jakkur lakes catchment zones. Construction in these zones could disturb the fragile hydrological balance and lead to large-scale displacement of flora and fauna. Experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have warned that the project could worsen the city’s flood vulnerability by disrupting natural stormwater channels. The environmental impact assessment for the PRR is still under review, adding another layer of uncertainty to its future.
Socio-Economic Impact on Affected Communities
The affected villages, once primarily agricultural, have already witnessed large-scale transformation due to rapid urbanisation. Farmers say the project has trapped them in an uncertain zone—unable to farm, yet not compensated enough to rebuild their lives elsewhere. Generations that once depended on fertile lands for sustenance are now facing unemployment, debt, and loss of community structures.
Social activists argue that such mega-infrastructure projects often result in asymmetrical development, where urban elites reap the benefits while rural landowners bear the costs. Many of these displaced families struggle to find adequate livelihoods in urban environments, leading to social alienation and economic distress. The farmers’ association insists that true progress must include equitable development, not merely expansion of roads and cities.
Government’s Efforts to Mediate
In response to growing discontent, the Karnataka government has initiated consultative meetings between BDA officials, local representatives, and farmer associations. Preliminary discussions have revolved around revising compensation packages, exploring rehabilitation schemes, and potentially realigning the project to reduce displacement.
Officials have hinted at the possibility of introducing land-pooling mechanisms, wherein farmers could retain ownership of a portion of developed land in return for contributing part of it for public infrastructure. However, farmer unions remain sceptical, citing past experiences where such promises failed to materialise. They demand written guarantees and transparent timelines before agreeing to any negotiation framework.
Economic Arguments for and Against the PRR
Supporters of the Peripheral Ring Road argue that the project will significantly boost Bengaluru’s economic prospects by reducing travel time, promoting industrial connectivity, and attracting investments in logistics and technology corridors. Urban planners believe that without a ring road system, the city’s existing infrastructure will soon reach a breaking point.
Critics, however, counter that the project’s financial model is outdated and unsustainable. With escalating land prices and construction costs, they question whether the PRR will deliver a meaningful cost-benefit ratio. They also note that Bengaluru’s traffic challenges are largely due to poor public transport integration and unregulated real estate expansion—issues that a single highway cannot solve. Instead of new mega-projects, experts advocate for investment in mass transit systems, efficient zoning laws, and decentralisation of urban development.
Farmers’ Call for Judicial Intervention
The farmers’ association has announced plans to approach the Karnataka High Court, seeking a stay on all project-related activities until their grievances are addressed. Legal petitions are being prepared to challenge the BDA’s acquisition powers and the validity of expired notifications. The petitioners are also likely to demand an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in compensation assessments and project planning.
Civil society groups have joined hands with the farmers, arguing that the issue goes beyond compensation—it represents a systemic failure in balancing urban ambition with rural justice. For many, the PRR has become a symbol of how development projects can alienate those who contribute most to the land but benefit least from its transformation.
Conclusion
The ongoing standoff over the Peripheral Ring Road Project captures a deeper dilemma in Bengaluru’s evolution—between rapid urban growth and the ethical responsibility to protect the livelihoods of those displaced by it. As the farmers’ association continues to push for scrapping the project, the government stands at a crossroads, tasked with reconciling infrastructure imperatives with social justice.
The future of the PRR now hinges not just on policy decisions, but on the trust between the state and its citizens. Whether the government listens to the anguished voices of farmers or pursues the path of expansion will determine not only the fate of a highway but also the moral compass of Karnataka’s development journey.
The conflict over the Peripheral Ring Road has thus become more than just a battle over land—it represents a struggle for dignity and recognition among communities caught in the shadow of Bengaluru’s relentless urbanisation. For many farmers, this fight is not merely about compensation but about preserving their identity, culture, and right to participate in decisions that reshape their lives. As bulldozers wait and petitions pile up, the PRR controversy stands as a reminder that true development must be rooted in fairness, empathy, and dialogue—values that determine whether progress uplifts or uproots those who sustain it.
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