The Karnataka government has issued final land acquisition notifications for 4,944.49 acres across four villages near Bidadi, a move that escalates the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project, also known as the Bidadi Township Project. This significant land parcel acquisition comes despite ongoing protests by farmers and just hours after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced the formation of a committee to review the project’s merits and demerits. The latest notification represents the largest tranche of land acquired for the project to date, adding to the 518.45 acres previously notified in three villages. The project aims to develop a large integrated township near Bengaluru, intended to ease urban congestion and foster economic growth.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the final notification on Wednesday covers the revenue villages of K.G. Gollarapalya, Bannigiri, Aralalusandra, and Hosuru. These four villages together account for 4,944.49 acres, with 4,717.96 acres being agricultural land. Hosuru village has the largest share, with 2,390.12 acres notified, followed by Aralalusandra with 1,460.21 acres. This is the second of three sets of villages identified for the project, which ultimately requires the acquisition of 9,600 acres spread across nine revenue and 16 non-revenue villages. The acquisition process is still pending for two villages: Bairamangala and Kanchugaranahalli.
The government’s decision to proceed with the land acquisition, even as a review committee is being formed, has drawn criticism from political opponents. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has sharply attacked Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, describing the notification as “inhumane, cruel and morally indefensible.” He alleged that the move betrayed farmers and revealed the government’s “vested interests,” especially since assurances were given that land would not be acquired forcibly. Kumaraswamy questioned the timing of the notification, suggesting prior knowledge among some individuals and pointing to celebrations before the notification became public. He also criticized Shivakumar’s earlier remarks to farmers, deeming them unbecoming of a Chief Minister. Kumaraswamy asserted that the project had been proposed earlier and later cancelled due to farmer opposition, and questioned whose interests were being served if the farmers did not want the project.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, however, has sought to distance himself from the project, stating it is not his “dream project.” He assured that no farmer’s land would be acquired forcibly and that those unwilling to give up their land could continue farming. Shivakumar explained that the project’s continuation was a decision inherited from previous administrations, citing its origins during the tenures of former Chief Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and B.S. Yeddyurappa. He claimed that the protests were “politically motivated” and part of a conspiracy to mislead farmers. The Chief Minister highlighted that in many villages, a significant percentage of farmers had already accepted compensation, making it difficult to halt the process once notifications were issued and payments made.
The Bidadi Township Project has a long and contentious history, dating back to 2006 when it was first proposed. For nearly two decades, land in the Bidadi region was designated as a “red zone,” restricting development and property transactions for landowners. While governments and project plans have evolved over the years, the restrictions persisted. The project, now rebranded as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), is envisioned as India’s first AI-powered integrated city, spanning approximately 9,600 acres. It aims to establish a second central business district southwest of Bengaluru, integrating residential, commercial, and industrial zones, alongside AI-based industry clusters and green spaces. The estimated cost of the project is substantial, with projections in the range of Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore.
The farmers’ opposition has been sustained for over 450 days, with groups like the Raithara Bhoohitha Rakshana Sangha actively protesting against the land acquisition. They express concerns over livelihoods, compensation packages, and the lack of genuine consent. While the government has offered compensation packages ranging from Rs 2.07 crore to Rs 2.5 crore per acre, and the option for landowners to receive up to a 50% share in the developed land, many farmers feel their land would be significantly more valuable if they could develop it themselves after the red zone classification is removed. The formation of the review committee is seen by some as an attempt to cool rising political tensions, but the issuance of final land acquisition notifications suggests the project is moving forward regardless of the committee’s eventual recommendations. The modalities of the committee, including its composition and leadership, are expected to be finalized in a cabinet meeting.
The project’s history involves multiple government approvals and modifications, including its rebranding and upgrade to the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) in 2023. The state cabinet gave its final approval to the rebranded project in February 2025, followed by fresh notices to farmers in March 2025. The latest final notification in June 2026 marked the first phase of acquisition for 518 acres. The ongoing land acquisition, now encompassing a much larger area, reflects the government’s commitment to proceeding with the GBIT project despite the persistent farmer and political opposition.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
