Understanding Land Acquisition in India -

Land acquisition is the legal process by which the government takes private land for public use, subject to statutory procedures. Historically guided by the 1894 Act, this process often sparked controversy poor compensation and no resettlement led to protests. Recognizing these flaws, Parliament enacted the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act), effective January 2014.

Key Reforms Under the 2013 Act

Fair Compensation
- Rural land: at least 4× market value
- Urban land: at least 2× market value
  Additional premiums (solatium), multipliers, and compensation for livelihood loss apply.
Consent Requirement
- Private projects: minimum 80% landowner consent
- PPPs: 70% consent
- No consent needed for pure public-purpose projects (e.g., defence, infrastructure).
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
Mandatory SIA studies with public hearings and expert group review assess social, environmental, and economic impacts before acquisition.
Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R)
Affected individuals (landowners, tenants, labourers) are entitled to housing, jobs, financial support, and other aid.
Return of Unused Land
If land remains unused for 5 years, it must be returned to the original owners or land banked.

Devanahalli Aerospace Park: What’s the Controversy?

In Devanahalli (near Bengaluru’s airport), the state government initiated land acquisition for a high-tech defence and aerospace park under the KIADB Act. Despite initial notifications dating back to the previous BJP government, local farmers and communities have been protesting for over 1,182 days demanding fair compensation, SIA transparency, and R&R adherence.

Why Locals Are Protesting

Procedural violations: Farmers allege violations of the 2013 Act particularly around consent, SIA and fair valuation.
Broken political promises: The current Congress-led government had pledged to stop forced acquisitions but has apparently continued the process.
Impact scope: Protests involve farmers from 13 villages, Dalits, laborers, students, and activists highlighting the widespread scope of concern.

Government’s Response

On June 24, 2025, Industries Minister MB Patil announced that 495 acres would be dropped from the acquisition plan a possible step back in response to the protests.
Local groups are planning a “Devanahalli Chalo” protest on June 25 to intensify their demands for full withdrawal unless proper procedures are followed.

The Legal Context: Major Issues at Play

Consent & SIA
Under LARR 2013, acquisitions like this must secure landowner consent and a completed SIA (including public hearings and expert review). Locals argue these steps were bypassed or superficially handled.
Compensation & R&R
Protests often stem from disputes on valuation farmers claim government-set rates fall below LARR-sanctioned multipliers and fail to account for livelihood loss.
Dropping 495 Acres
This reduction hints at government sensitivity to community pressure, yet largely avoids addressing the core demands: withdrawal of the entire acquisition and proper adherence to LARR.

Bigger Picture: Lessons & Way Forward

1. Balancing Development and Rights – While aerospace infrastructure promises jobs and economic growth, the LARR framework exists to ensure that development is ethical, transparent, and fair. Cutting acreage without addressing procedural and compensation issues is only a partial solution.

2. Institutional Trust – Ongoing protests often stem from distrust landowners fear forced acquisition disguised as development. Restoring trust requires genuine consultations, publication of SIA findings, and transparent compensation mechanisms.

Policy Paths Ahead

Independent SIA review: Transparency in conducting and publishing impact assessments
Third-party mediation: Independent panels can help resolve valuation disagreements
Enhanced R&R packages: Beyond legal requirements, ensure livelihood restoration and support
Land pooling alternatives: Explore models where landowners can become partners in the project

Conclusion

The Devanahalli aerospace park issue underscores a critical challenge: How do we reconcile India’s growth ambitions with the rights of farmers and marginalized communities? The LARR Act, 2013 offers a robust blueprint enshrining consent, transparency, compensation, and resettlement. Yet its implementation often falters on the ground, as shown in Devanahalli. The recent decision to drop nearly 500 acres shows promise, but doesn’t address systemic flaws. For progress to be sustainable, policymakers must engage in meaningful dialogue, honor statutory safeguards, and ensure that communities not just acres are valued. Real, inclusive development demands nothing less.

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