Karnataka government to honour land losers for development projects with ‘Walls of Gratitude’

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the Karnataka government would establish “Walls of Gratitude” to honour landowners who voluntarily part with their land for public infrastructure and development projects.

The names of those who gave up their land will be etched on these walls.

Mr. Shivakumar made the announcement after inaugurating Major Arterial Road, now renamed S.M. Krishna Road. The development has come amid several farmer groups on the Bengaluru outskirts protesting against land acquisition notifications for developmental projects.

In fact, the S.M. Krishna Road, inaugurated by Mr. Shivakumar, is also facing acquisition hurdles.

However, the Chief Minister said the initiative would recognise the sacrifices made by citizens who give up land without objections against projects such as industrial areas, schools, lakes and roads.

The first such memorial wall came up at S.M. Krishna Road, where the names of landowners who contributed land for the project were inscribed.

“This road will not remain an 11-km stretch. It will eventually become part of a 123-km corridor, and the names of those who sacrificed their land for this development will be preserved permanently,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to the proposed 123-km Bengaluru Business Corridor, stating that the tendering process was under way, and the final land acquisition notification for the stretch connecting Electronics City to Mysuru Road would be issued shortly.

Mr. Shivakumar further announced the establishment of a Kempegowda Study Centre at Bengaluru University on 9.5 acres of land.