Bengaluru: After more than two decades of legal limbo, a decisive green signal from the Supreme Court has unlocked what could become one of the most transformative agricultural marketing infrastructure projects in the city. By clearing the way for the proposed mega agriculture market on 272.3 acres on Magadi Main Road in west Bengaluru, the apex court ruling not only brings an end to a prolonged courtroom battle but also promises to ease the city’s mounting supply chain pressures, stabilise farm-to-market linkages, and reinforce Bengaluru’s position as a key agri-trade hub connecting Karnataka’s farmers with urban consumers.Close on the heels of the apex court’s verdict, the Bangalore Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has taken possession of the land after depositing Rs 226 crore with the court. The site, located between Srigandhakaval (172 acres and 22 guntas) and Herohalli (100 acres and 11 guntas), is now set to host a world-class market. The project remained stalled since the state govt first notified the acquisition in 1994, following a series of legal challenges by the Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust, the original landowners.The trust moved the Karnataka high court in 1999-2000, contesting the land acquisition. In 2014, the high court ruled that the acquisition had lapsed under provisions of the 2013 land acquisition law. Appeals and review petitions filed thereafter were dismissed until 2019. A turning point came in 2022 when the matter reached the Supreme Court through a special leave petition (SLP). The apex court set aside earlier high court orders and directed a fresh examination of procedural aspects.On Feb 3, 2025, a single bench of the high court upheld the acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, a decision that was later affirmed by a division bench on Jan 30, 2026. Unhappy with the outcome, the trust again approached the Supreme Court. However, a bench, comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, dismissed the petitions on April 27, upholding the high court’s ruling and finally clearing the path for the mega market.APMC officials hailed the verdict as a landmark moment for agricultural marketing in the city. “Given the current and future growth of Bengaluru and imminent demand for various agricultural commodities, this was crucial. Agricultural marketing minister Shivanand S Patil not only extended his support but also constantly guided the officials and followed up with the legal team,” said the APMC’s additional director and secretary KC Doreswamy.With plans to build a global-standard agri market, APMC officials visited West Asia and other places to study international models before finalising the blueprint.“The existing APMC market at Yeshwantpur, after it was moved from Old Tharagupet in 1980, has not only become congested but also exhausted its limits with hardly any space for development. At the same time, the population of Bengaluru has also tripled, demanding a well-planned market. The site at Magadi Road is just 1.5km from the NICE corridor and we are planning to build a flyover linking the NICE Road. It will have seamless access to other parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Even though a few of the commodities such as meat and fish are not notified, we are planning to include them along with wholesale and retail agricultural commodities, including vegetables, fruits and flowers,” a senior APMC official explained.———-Box: Courtroom battle over land-1999-2000: Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust challenges land acquisition in high court-2014: High court rules acquisition lapsed under 2013 Land Acquisition Act-2014-2019: Appeals and review petitions by APMC dismissed-2022: Supreme Court intervenes; remands matter to HC for fresh hearing-Feb 3, 2025: HC single bench upholds acquisition under 1894 Act-Jan 30, 2026: Division bench confirms validity of acquisition-Apr 27, 2026: Supreme Court dismisses fresh petitions, clearing the projectMSID:: 130679981 413 |
