Forest tag stalls land allotment for Haveri industrial corridor | Hubballi News
Haveri: The industrial corridor planned near Ganajur and Koluru villages in Haveri is experiencing setbacks concerning 68 acres of forest or revenue land confusion. Despite local farmers cultivating this land for years without proper documentation, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) is unable to provide compensation owing to its legal classification as forest land, thereby impeding the project. Over 125 entrepreneurs requested land allocation to establish industries near Haveri’s district headquarters.Sources indicate that while the 68 acres originally belonged to the revenue department, forest authorities previously planted saplings there. Subsequently, residents of Kolur began cultivation without proper documentation. The forest department now asserts its ownership of this land.Previously, the govt decided to establish an industrial corridor between Ganajur and Kolur across 407 acres, comprising both govt and private land. Within this, the first phase involving a 200-acre industrial layout was contracted to Bengaluru-based SRC Infra. While the initial phase is 80% complete, farmers are resisting development in the second phase.“At least 59 farmers have been claiming that they are cultivating 68 acres of land in Koluru village, but these farmers don’t have any documents. These farmers have been demanding compensation like other private landowners whose land was acquired for the purpose. But without proper ownership of the property, KIADB could not provide compensation to the farmers,” stated a senior revenue department official.Deputy commissioner Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar conducted a meeting with KIADB officials, Haveri tahsildar, and forest authorities, delegating land-related responsibilities to the tahsildar. “I asked for a detailed report from the tahsildar of Haveri after receiving applications from the farmers who claim to have been cultivating govt land for a long time. We will submit the report to the govt, and the govt will make a decision. We will complete the development works of the first phase of the industrial corridor by the end of Dec,” assured DC Danammanavar.Entrepreneur Ramesh Ballari noted that numerous individuals waiting to establish industries have applied for land in the new corridor. However, land disputes persist despite ongoing construction. “Following this, many entrepreneurs are frustrated because they are not able to execute their ideas through their startups. The KIADB and department of industries and commerce (DIC) should complete the corridor work and allot layouts as early as possible,” he demanded.Attempts to reach Ashok Pyati, joint director of the DIC for comments were unsuccessful.
