Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh rolled out the red carpet for the aerospace industry on July 15 soon after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announced that the state would drop its proposed acquisition of 1,777 acres of farmland in Devanahalli taluk for an Aerospace Park near Kempegowda International Airport.
Quoting a Moneycontrol article, Lokesh posted on X: “Dear aerospace industry, sorry to hear about this. I have a better idea for you. Why don’t you look at Andhra Pradesh instead? We have an attractive aerospace policy, with best-in-class incentives and over 8,000 acres of ready-to-use land (just outside Bengaluru)! Hope to see you soon to talk across the table.”
Also, read: Karnataka scraps land acquisition near Bengaluru airport over farm protests in a setback for Aerospace Park
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya also hit out at the Congress-led Karnataka government. “This is how business is attracted, industry is welcomed and jobs are created. Hope the Karnataka government learns from @naralokesh garu and corrects its course,” he wrote.
Surya urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to show political will to establish the Aerospace Park in Bengaluru, calling it India’s aerospace capital—home to HAL, NAL, DRDO, ISRO, Airbus, Boeing, and several startups. “Let’s double down on our legacy,” he added.
Siddaramaiah’s statement came on the 1,198th day of farmers’ protests. At a meeting with officials and farmer leaders at Vidhana Soudha, the CM said the government would withdraw from acquiring land in Channarayapatna and surrounding villages.
Sources said that industries minister MB Patil was reportedly unhappy with the decision. Officials clarified that landowners willing to give up land voluntarily would be offered either higher compensation or developed land. Those unwilling could continue using their land for agriculture.
On July 8, he had questioned actor Prakash Raj’s selective activism, saying Andhra Pradesh had acquired 10,000 acres between Madakasira and Penukonda for a similar project and offered land to companies at nominal rates.
Patil also warned that Tamil Nadu’s industrial expansion in Hosur, just 50 km from Bengaluru, and Andhra's aggressive push could divert major investments away from Karnataka, resulting in significant losses for the state.
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