Bidadi township: 80% of landowners agree to land distribution, says DKS

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during a meeting with representatives of Bidadi farmers at the Government Residential Office in Bengaluru on Wednesday. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced that 80% of the land owners whose land is notified as Greater Bengaluru Integrated Borough (GBIT) or Bidadi Township have agreed to divide their land and the final notification will be issued by 30.

The government is set to acquire over 6,700 acres for the development of India’s first and largest artificial intelligence (AI)-powered integrated township. Mr. Shivakumar held discussions with farmers of Bidadi region regarding the township project at his government residence in Kumara Park on Wednesday.

The Deputy Minister said that the government will start releasing the compensation from the first week of June. For final notification, the three villages will be grouped into separate batches and separate final notifications will be issued.

He noted that full compensation will be issued to those who agree to part with their land by June 30. For those who oppose, the money will be deposited in court and the process will begin.

Mr. Shivakumar urged farmers to opt for land compensation even when cash compensation is available as the returns will be higher. “When the premium FAR is offered in the coming days, it will be beneficial for the landowners. We are spending ₹5 crore for each acre,” he said.

“I advised all the farmers not to sell their land because they don’t yet understand its future value. They all agreed,” he said.

He further explained that the government has also conducted surveys to create metro connectivity in the future. “This area has been brought under BWSSB, so the board will provide water connections. About 40 km of road connectivity will also be established,” he added.

The government is extending compensation under the Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (RFCTLARR) 2013. In a first-of-its-kind measure, the government will provide livelihood support from the date of the last notification until cash compensation is paid or developed sites are handed over. Land owners will receive financial assistance ranging from ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 50,000 depending on the type of land.

During the negotiations, the farmers demanded not only compensation, but also residential locations. After hearing all their grievances, Mr. Shivakumar assured them that whatever help can be legally extended will be provided.

With the trust of farmers

He later addressed the media. “This area was declared a red zone, which means no one could sell or trade land here. Some people even went to court to stop the project, but the court refused to stop it. That’s why I’m going ahead with the project after gaining the farmers’ trust,” he said.

He further said that the municipality will be connected to Kanakapura Road, Mysuru-Bengaluru Road and NICE Road.

“Premium FAR will also be provided in future. Foreigners are asking us what this AI city will look like. Once we secure the required land, we will release the project plan,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar replied to a question that HD Kumaraswamy had allegedly thrown an open challenge on the Bidadi township issue that he was ready to accept it. “Three days is enough for me. Fix the date, time and venue and I will be ready,” he said, adding that the venue and time can be decided by Mr. Kumaraswamy himself. He reiterated that it was Mr. Kumaraswamy who notified the land earlier for the project and asked why he did not mark it later.

Published – 20 May 2026 22:01 IST