"World-class roads, metro connectivity, well-equipped housing": DK Shivakumar details Bidadi Township project
New Delhi, August 9
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday detailed the long-languishing Bidadi Township project in Bengaluru, saying that the futuristic hub will feature advanced road networks, metro connectivity, a modern sports arena, sprawling parks, and well-designed housing options.
In an X post, Shivakumar said that through this project, the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority will transform the landscape of Bengaluru's South District.
"The Bidadi Township project, which had been languishing in obscurity for many years, is being given a new lease on life and is being developed into a state-of-the-art AI City featuring world-class roads, metro connectivity, a modern sports arena, parks, and well-equipped housing. This massive project, undertaken under the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority, will transform the landscape of Bengaluru's South District," he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that safeguarding the interests of the farming community remains the administration's top priority. Highlighting a major upward revision from previous packages, the government has announced compensation exceeding Rs 3 crore per acre, a significant jump from the Rs 25 lakh per acre rate fixed by the previous administration.
"Protecting farmers' interests is our top priority. While the previous government had set compensation at just Rs 25 lakh per acre, our government has decided to provide compensation exceeding Rs 3 crore per acre. Farmers who prefer land over money will be allotted 50% of the developed land. This land acquisition process is entirely voluntary, with no coercion imposed on anyone unwilling to contribute land to the project. Our government is committed to creating immense employment opportunities for the youth and providing a dignified life for our food providers. We seek your cooperation," he said.
The Karnataka government's proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) has sparked strong opposition from farmers and triggered a political row over land acquisition. Envisioned as India's first "AI-powered city" in Bidadi, around 40 km from Bengaluru, the project covers nearly 9,600 acres and requires the acquisition of vast stretches of fertile agricultural land.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Wait, another "AI City"? Bengaluru already has so many tech parks. But if it brings metro connectivity and world-class infrastructure to Bidadi, it could take the pressure off the main city. Traffic in Bengaluru is a nightmare, we need more satellite towns. Hope the implementation is faster than the paper plans!
Good intentions, but I'm skeptical. How many such "world-class townships" have we seen in Karnataka? The real test will be whether farmers who don't want to sell are truly left alone. They are the backbone of our state. We can't build a city by trampling on the people who feed us. Voluntary acquisition is the only way forward.
This is what progress looks like! 👏 The compensation jump from 25 lakh to 3 crore shows they actually care about the farmers. And giving them 50% developed land as an option is a brilliant move. If done right, this AI City will put Bengaluru in the global map. Great vision by DK Shivakumar! 🚀
I just worry about the timeline. We've heard these big announcements before. 9,600 acres is massive, and building a metro line that far will take time. But I'm glad they are thinking about the youth and job creation. The farmers' interests seem handled, at least on paper. Let's see how they execute this.
I live near Bidadi and this is long overdue. The region needs proper infrastructure. The one thing I appreciate is that they are making it voluntary. No farmer should be forced out of their land. If they manage the acquisition properly, this
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