The Karnataka State Cabinet has decided to drop the acquisition of 1,777 acres of farmland in 13 villages of Devanahalli taluk, Bengaluru Rural District. This land was meant for an Aerospace Park project. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil confirmed that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board will not acquire the land. An official notification will soon confirm this decision. A few months ago, the government had planned to drop the land acquisition after farmers protested for over three years. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met with farmer representatives and promised to stop the acquisition. The farmers had held a 1,198-day-long protest in Channarayapatna, making it one of the longest struggles by farmers in the state. This fight gained national attention. Social activists and farmers’ groups from across India supported the Devanahalli farmers. Social activist Medha Patkar also wrote a letter to the Chief Minister opposing the acquisition. Farmers were still worried as some had received notices about the acquisition. But the Cabinet’s latest decision has cleared any doubts. In another move, the Cabinet approved ₹73.22 crore for the operation and maintenance of a multi-village drinking water supply project in Banawar and Gandasi blocks, Arsikere taluk, Hassan district. This project will serve 530 settlements through a 22.04 million litres per day water treatment plant, covering five years of operation and maintenance, said Mr. Patil.