The High Court on Thursday heard a PIL against Bidadi Integrated Township Project, proposed to require about 9,684 acres of lands in several villages of Ramanagara taluk.

The PIL filed by Sri Ranganatha Raitha Hitarakshana Sangha and several farmers of Byramangala and villages in Ramanagara, where lands are proposed for acquisition for this project conceived by BMRDA, has contended it to be against public interest. Huge agricultural lands would be embarked on and thousands of localites will be displaced, the petitioners have said while contending that the project does not have environmental impact clearance.

The BMRDA counsel said farmers whose lands were being acquired were being offered a rehabilitation package with options of choosing amongst monetary compensation, lands elsewhere or 1/5th of total lands taken from them, in the developed lands.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri asked the petitioners’ counsel as to whether farmers were actually unhappy with the project.