THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Govt's Bidadi township project aimed to benefit real estate interests ... ANI Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy Bengaluru: Union Steel & Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday intensified his attack on the state government's proposed Bidadi township project , challenging Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to visit the affected villages and see for himself if landowners facing acquisition are "genuine farmers" or not. Condemning the Congress government's decision to issue the final land acquisition notification despite sustained protests by residents, Kumaraswamy announced plans for a legal challenge against the move and pledged support to the affected farmers. Kumaraswamy, who is also the JDS State president, took exception to suggestions that the affected landowners are not real farmers, calling such remarks an insult to the farming community. He invited Shivakumar to accompany him to the villages in the Bidadi region and interact directly with residents whose lands have been notified for acquisition. "The truth should be determined by the people whose livelihoods and lands are at stake," he said. Live Events Questioning the timing of the final notification, Kumaraswamy poin…

Bidadi is more than just a township row: It's a fight for Vokkaliga ... T heir antagonistic relationship is well known in Karnataka's political circles. The rivalry between Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has now intensified over the proposed Bidadi township in the state's Vokkaliga heartland. Advertisement Will Karnataka's Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hurt or heal Bengaluru? The two leaders have exchanged open letters over the project and even challenged each other to a public debate. The confrontation has gained prominence because the Congress leader's influence is rising in the Vokkaliga heartland, while the Janata Dal (Secular) chairman is struggling to keep his Vokkaliga-based party influential. Not just a land acquisition row The local farming community has already been divided by the proposed land acquisition for the township project in Bengaluru South district. While some, backed by the JD(S), are against the acquisition, the Congress has claimed that there are also those who are open to giving their land for the purpose. However, the matter hasn't stopped there. What began as a debate over land acquisition has now snowballed into a larger co…

BJP Mounts Pressure On Rahul Gandhi To Drop Bidadi Township ... - Dailyhunt B ENGALURU: Terming the proposed Bidadi Township Project in Bengaluru South district as a "state-engineered land grab," State president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Sunday sought immediate intervention of a key decision-maker in Congress party and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to understand the anguish of farmers to part with their lands and direct Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar withdraw the project in the interest of protesting farmers of Bidadi. Advertisement A letter to Rahul Gandhi by Vijayendra explained the lands identified for acquisition for Bidadi Township are fertile and farmers grow multi-crop in the region, Bidadi lands feed Bengaluru residents by supplying fruits/vegetables among others. Thousands of rural women have built independent, self-reliant livelihoods around agriculture in the region. Continuing, he said, the Bidadi Township project spread across 7, 481 acres stretching from Bidadi and Harohalli of Bengaluru South district to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar belongs. The project is projected as the second Central Business District of Bengal…

Karnataka issues final gazette for Bidadi Township, farmers intensify ... KARNATAKA TOP NEWS Karnataka issues final gazette for Bidadi Township, farmers intensify land protest Karnataka issues final gazette to acquire 518 acres across three Bidadi villages for Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, affecting about 754 farmers; govt offers at least Rs 2.07 crore per acre as protests over loss of fertile land continue. Archana Reddy 13 Jun 2026 21:56 IST Follow Us Advertisment Final gazette clears 518-acre Bidadi land acquisition Around 754 farmers’ fertile lands are notified Minimum Rs 2.07 crore compensation per acre Final gazette issued to acquire 518 acres in Bidadi for integrated township; 754 farmers affected, minimum Rs 2.07 crore per acre offered amid strong protests Advertisment The Karnataka government has issued the final gazette notification for the Bidadi Township project, clearing the way for land acquisition despite mounting opposition from local farmers. Government notification issued The Bidadi suburban township, to be developed by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), has now received its final notification from the State government after prolonged de…

Bidadi: Bidadi AI City: Karnataka's ambitious township project — and ... SHARE Contents Bidadi Smart City: India’s ‘first AI City’ Bengaluru’s inhabitants strain and Bidadi township Why farmers are up in arms towards Bidadi township Bidadi township: Land, livelihood, and ecology Bidadi township row: Political stakes for Congress What lies forward for Bidadi township project Farmers stage a protest towards the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project at Byramangala close to Bidadi, in Bengaluru. (Janata Dal (Secular) by way of PTI Photo) Bidadi, a small city on the outskirts of Bengaluru, has turn into the centre of a significant controversy in Karnataka . At the centre of the row is the proposed Bidadi Smart City project, formally generally known as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), which the Congress-led Karnataka authorities is transferring ahead with regardless of sturdy pushback from farmers, native residents, environmentalists, and opposition events. For chief minister DK Shivakumar – the Bidadi township is extensively considered one among his most ambitious tasks – the controversy comes simply days after Congress elevated him to Karnataka’s high s…

Bidadi Township: What the project is, who opposes it and why For nearly two decades, a stretch of fertile farmland on the outskirts of Bengaluru in Bengaluru South district (formerly Ramanagara)has been at the centre of a slow-moving land dispute. Now, it has reached a flashpoint. The Karnataka government has issued a final notification to acquire 518 acres of land for the proposed Bidadi Township project, going ahead despite more than 15 months of sustained protests by farmers in the affected villages. What is the project? The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), popularly known as the Bidadi Township, is proposed across approximately 9,600 acres spanning nine revenue villages and 16 non-revenue villages in Bidadi, about 40 kilometres from Bengaluru. The government describes it as India's first AI-powered Work-Live-Play township and one of five major infrastructure projects being spearheaded by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar — alongside tunnel roads, elevated corridors, the Bengaluru Business Corridor and roads along drain buffers. The project has a long institutional history. It was originally notified by former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in 2006 and that approxim…

The need to balance industrial growth & farmers' interests The State Government took a well-considered decision earlier this week to abandon its plan of acquiring 1,777 acres of fertile land for a proposed defence and aerospace park near the international airport on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The move provided relief to farmers who have fought a long and difficult battle to protect their livelihood. Their struggle was backed by many prominent scholars, scientists, artists, and public intellectuals. The move is unlikely to have any major impact on Karnataka’s efforts to attract investors and its reputation as one of the most sought-after investment destinations in the country. However, the episode reemphasised the need for careful identification of lands to be acquired for industrial development, especially as the state strives to maintain the lead in the defence and aerospace sector while continuing to woo investors in other sectors as well. Land acquisition is always a challenge. But why identify a fertile farmland for industrial purposes and push farmers to protest? No doubt, industrial development is essential to spur economic activities and generate employment, but it sho…

Reacquisition of Tata Singur Land by Peasants and CSOs Singur is popularly called the granary of West Bengal. This particular piece of land in Singur is highly fertile and is home to around 5,000 peasant families. Located in Hooghly district of West Bengal, Singur came into the limelight for its peasants’ movement in 2006. The government acquired 1,253 acres (500 hectares) of multi-cropping agricultural land and leased it at a highly subsidized rate to MNC Tata through the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (a state government enterprise) to construct their car manufacturing factory. The land was acquired in accordance with the colonial Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The compensation package proposed by the government was refused by the peasants as the eviction would deprive them of their livelihood and their indigenous culture and ways of life. The movement of Singur peasant against cultivable land acquisition was intensified all over India inspiring various land rights movements since 2006. The people of Singur actively protested against the government’s acquisition notice. They formed ‘Singur Krishi Zamin Raksha Committee’ (Save Agricultural Land Committee) and re…

India:Stir over Karnataka's AI city grows amid land acquisition concerns Karnataka's ₹18,000-crore AI city near Bengaluru faces growing resistance as farmers oppose land acquisition, citing threats to livelihoods, agriculture and green cover

Karnataka : CM urged to reopen sugar factory in Bidar under the long ... The Bidar Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to reopen the defunct Bidar Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane Ltd. under a 40-year LROT lease to a private player. Established in the 1960s, the factory once supported thousands of farmers and workers but has remained shut despite government approval for revival. Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments The Bidar Chamber of Commerce and Industry has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging the State government to take immediate steps to reopen the Bidar Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane Ltd. at Hallikhed (B) in Humnabad taluk by leasing it to a competent private enterprise under the Long-term Lease, Renovate, Operate and Transfer (LROT) model. In the memorandum jointly signed by chamber president B.G. Shetkar and honorary secretary Veerendra Shastri, the organisation has said that the cooperative sugar factory, established in the 1960s, was once a vital agro-industrial unit in the district. Spread over 174 acres and with a crushing capacity of 3,500 tonnes of sugarcane per day, the factory supported the livelihood of 25,760 farme…

Karnataka Clears Rs 18,000-Crore Satellite Township Near Bengaluru Karnataka Clears Rs 18,000-Crore Satellite Township Near Bengaluru The Karnataka cabinet has okayed a Rs 18,000-crore Greater Bengaluru integrated township over 7,481 acres in Bidadi, offering over Rs 2 crore per acre or developed plots to landowners and aiming to build a new work-live-play satellite city that eases pressure on central Bengaluru. Published: May 02, 2026, 13:37 IST By: Anirudh Singh Chauhan Print Share Table of Contents Project at a glance How the township will be funded and how landowners will be paid What will come up in the new township Politics, protests and next steps Show More The Karnataka cabinet has approved a massive integrated suburban township project near Bengaluru with an estimated cost of around Rs 18,000 crore. The plan aims to build a new “work-live-play” city at Bidadi that can act as a second central business district and ease pressure on core Bengaluru. The township will spread over about 7481 acres in Bidadi hobli of Ramanagara taluk in Bengaluru South district , covering nine villages. Most of this land will be taken from private owners under a special compensation packag…

"Step out of your luxury bubble": Nikhil ...read.."Step out of your ... In a post on X, Kumaraswamy on Wednesday accused legislators of being disconnected from the ground reality, suggesting they are enjoying leisure while thousands of farmers remain locked in an indefinite struggle against what he termed a "real estate land grab" worth Rs 33,562 crore. Kumaraswamy's remarks follow a 470-day protest by farmers who argue that the project, a massive integrated township spanning thousands of acres in the fertile Bidadi region, will destroy their livelihoods and the local ecology. Directing his ire at the Congress leadership, Kumaraswamy urged MLAs currently at the Wonderla resort to visit the nearby Bannagiri viewpoint. He further challenged the party's national leadership, specifically asking if Rahul Gandhi's public sermons on environmental conservation, often framed as "Green over Greed," apply to Karnataka, or if they are ignored when it comes to state-led industrial projects. "Dear Karnataka Congress MLAs holidaying at Wonderla, step out of your luxury bubble and stand at the Bannagiri viewpoint nearby. Look at the breathtaking green paradise of Bidadi that sustains thousands…

Bidadi Township row: Did DKS's 'Modi Praise' move put JD (S) on the ... BENGALURU TOP NEWS Bidadi Township row: Did DKS’s ‘Modi Praise’ move put JD(S) on the back foot amid farmers’ protest? The Bidadi Township controversy has intensified with farmers, women and student groups opposing land acquisition. As JD(S) backs the agitation, CM D.K. Shivakumar’s claim that PM Modi appreciated the project has added a fresh political dimension. Dhanya Reddy 15 Jun 2026 09:35 IST Follow Us Advertisment Farmers intensify protest against Bidadi Township land acquisition. JD(S) prepares larger agitation and political campaign. DK Shivakumar’s Modi remark triggers fresh political debate. As opposition to the Bidadi Township project grows among farmers, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the project has added a new political twist. With JD(S) backing the agitation and planning a larger movement, the battle has now turned into a major political showdown. Advertisment The controversy surrounding the proposed Bidadi Township project has entered a new phase, with the issue now turning into a high-profile political battle alongside the growing farmers’ …

D.K. Shivakumar: Greater Bengaluru integrated township land won't be ... Greater Bengaluru integrated township land won't be de-notified, not ready to go to jail like ex-K'taka CM Yediyurappa: Dy CM Shivakumar 05-09-2025 Fri 08:44 | National | IANS Ramanagara (Karnataka), Sep 5 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has blamed Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who had decided to establish the Bidadi township in the outskirts of Bengaluru, adding that he will not denotify the land and go to jail like former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. "I will sincerely try to help farmers within the framework of law," Shivakumar said on Thursday. He was addressing protesting farmers in front of the Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner's office on Thursday, who are opposing the land acquisition. "When the Bidadi industrial area was formed, farmers knew which government was in power. At that time, 16,000 acres of land were acquired. Companies including Toyota came to this region. Even I lost 12 acres of my land when it was acquired for the industrial area. The compensation given then did not even cross Rs 8 lakh," he said. "To provide better compensation for you …

Resolved Panchagrama Land Dispute Pending Since 12 Years: CPM VIJAYAWADA: CPI Politburo member B.V. Raghavulu has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to take immediate steps to resolve the long-pending Panchagrama land dispute in Visakhapatnam district, stating that nearly two lakh people have been facing hardships for almost three decades. In a letter to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, Raghavulu recalled that the TD government, during its first Cabinet meeting in Visakhapatnam in 2014, had promised to resolve the issue within 100 days. However, even after 12 years, the dispute remains unresolved, he said. He alleged that during 1996–97, ryotwari pattas for 9,063.22 acres out of 11,282.26 acres in the Panchagrama area were granted to the Simhachalam Devasthanam through the Pendurthi and Chinna Gadili MROs. Based on these pattas and GO No. 578 issued in 2000, residents and landholders were unfairly branded as encroachers, he claimed. Raghavulu said the then Chief Commissioner of Land Administration had cancelled the pattas, while an Assembly House Committee recommended regularisation, as many middle-class families had constructed houses after taking loans. He further state…

AI city vs agriculture: Farmers rally against government's 9,000-acre ... Published Oct 03, 2025 | 9:00 AM⚊Updated Oct 03, 2025 | 9:00 AM The JD(S), positioning itself as a party working for farmers’ interests, has joined the indefinite protest. Synopsis:Farmers from 26 villages near Bidadi town in Ramanagara taluk have been protesting for over 200 days against the Karnataka government’s 9,000-acre Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project, citing forced acquisition of fertile farmland and alleged violations of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act. The project, first proposed in 2006 and rebranded as India’s first AI-powered “work-live-play” city, aims to decongest Bengaluru and develop over 2,000 acres for AI-based industries, but farmers argue it threatens livelihoods, dairy farming, and sericulture in the region. Months after a 1,198-day agitation by farmers in Karnataka’s Devanhalli in Bengaluru Rural district forced the Congress-led state government todrop a planto acquire 1,777 acres of fertile farmland for an aerospace park, another protest has gained momentum in Bengaluru South district. For the past 200 days, farmers from 26 villages in Byrama…

Nikhil Kumaraswamy slams Congress over Bidadi land protest, questions ... "Step out of your luxury bubble": Nikhil Kumaraswamy slams Congress over Bidadi land protest, questions Rahul Gandhi's 'Green over Greed' sermon Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 (ANI): The political standoff surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) in Bidadi has intensified, with JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy launching a stinging attack on ruling Congress MLAs. In a post on X, Kumaraswamy on Wednesday accused legislators of being disconnected from the ground reality, suggesting they are enjoying leisure while thousands of farmers remain locked in an indefinite struggle against what he termed a 'real estate land grab' worth Rs 33,562 crore. Kumaraswamy's remarks follow a 470-day protest by farmers who argue that the project, a massive integrated township spanning thousands of acres in the fertile Bidadi region, will destroy their livelihoods and the local ecology. Directing his ire at the Congress leadership, Kumaraswamy urged MLAs currently at the Wonderla resort to visit the nearby Bannagiri viewpoint. He further challenged the party's national leadership, specifically a…

Bidadi Township Project Gets Karnataka Cabinet Approval ... - Oneindia Bidadi Township Project Gets Karnataka Cabinet Approval, 7,481 Acres to Be Developed Bengaluru oi-Madhuri Adnal By Madhuri Adnal Updated: Friday, May 1, 2026, 8:59 [IST] Add as a preferred source on Google The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the implementation of the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project (GBIT) in Bidadi, covering around 7,481 acres and 21.08 guntas across nine villages in Bidadi hobli of Ramanagara taluk in Bengaluru South district. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 18,133 crore. The township will be developed by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), with the Finance Department approving a bank guarantee of Rs 7,500 crore to support the project. The plan is to create a 'work live play' environment and develop a second central business district to reduce pressure on core Bengaluru areas. AI Summary AI-generated summary, reviewed by editors The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Rs 18,133 crore Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project (GBIT) in Bidadi, covering 7,481 acres across nine villages to build a second business district and decongest Bengaluru, o…

Farmers' land being grabbed for profiteering in Bidadi Township project ... Bengaluru, Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday expressed outrage, alleging that farmers' lands are being grabbed for profiteering in the name of the 'Bidadi Township' project. He also announced that he would launch a fight against it. The JD patriarch repeatedly targeted Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Minister for Bengaluru Development, without naming him. He was referring to the₹18,133 crore Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburban Project at Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, which was approved in the April 30 Cabinet meeting. The project will cover about 7,481 acres across nine villages in Bengaluru South district and Ramanagara taluk. A section of farmers and local villagers have opposed the project and have been protesting against the land acquisition. "This government is trying to grab farmers' lands for business interests. One person has said, 'If farmers beat me, I will take it.' Let him first go and face the farmers, and then I will go and speak," Gowda said. Speaking to reporters, he said, "The current CM Siddaramaiah is my old friend and former …

Karnataka, India: Massive Protest by Sugarcane Farmers Demanding ... The indefinite strike announced by sugarcane farmers in the southern Indian state of Karnataka entered its seventh day on Wednesday (November 5), with the movement gaining unprecedented public backing. Thousands of farmers from Belagavi, Bagalkot, and surrounding districts are demanding a fair price of ₹3,500 per tonne. The demand for ₹3,500 per tonne is not merely symbolic — it reflects the widening gap between what it costs farmers to grow sugarcane and what they are paid. Farmers in northern Karnataka face several disadvantages: high irrigation costs, erratic monsoons, smaller mills, and outdated crushing technology. Many mills are politically connected, with ownership concentrated among industrial and political elites — a situation that raises conflicts of interest and weakens enforcement of farmer protections. The “monopsony effect,” where a few dominant buyers control purchases, further suppresses prices. Farmers often have no choice but to sell to nearby mills, leaving them with little bargaining power when payments are delayed or weights are disputed. The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) , the state’s…

Kumaraswamy Slams Bidadi Township Plan, Calls Govt 'Real Estate Broker' politics Kumaraswamy Slams Bidadi Township Plan, Calls Govt 'Real Estate Broker' Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accuses Karnataka government of turning the Bidadi integrated township project into a 'real estate business,' alleging manipulation of land records and farmer exploitation. MyCityBengaluru.com Editorial Desk · 14 May 2026 at 12:04 pm · 13 views Share Tweet WhatsApp Copy Link Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the proposed Bidadi integrated township project, alleging that the state is officially engaging in “real estate brokerage” in the name of development. Addressing a press conference at JP Bhavan in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy criticised the government’s plan to develop an integrated township by including eight villages around Bidadi under the Greater Bengaluru project. He clarified that while discussions regarding development in the area had taken place during his tenure as Chief Minister, his approach was entirely different and centered on protecting farmers’ interests. Recalling an interaction with a woman f…

KPRS, sugarcane growers seek Deputy Commissioner's intervention to ... Members of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) and sugarcane growers have called for the Deputy Commissioner’s intervention to release ₹29 crore in dues owed by Renuka Sugars and KPR Sugars. KPR Sugars owes ₹17.82 crore to 25,000 farmers for 11 lakh tonnes of cane, while Renuka Sugars owes ₹11.2 crore to 23,000 farmers. Issues include underpayment and higher-than-allowed harvesting and transportation charges. If unresolved, a protest will be staged on August 8. Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments Members of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) and sugarcane growers have sought the Deputy Commissioner’s intervention to release dues to the tune of ₹29 crore for the cane supplied to the two sugar factories – Renuka Sugars and KPR Sugars in Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district. KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamshetty, addressing presspersons on Friday, said that KPR Sugars had to pay a sum of ₹17.82 crore for crushing 11 lakh tonnes of cane supplied by 25,000 farmers. Similarly, Renuka Sugars had to clear dues of ₹11.2 crore to 23,000 farmers. Mr. Mamshetty said that Renuka Sugars had paid ₹2,…

'Project should not damage party': Karnataka minister Jarkiholi flags ... Satish Jarkiholi Credit: DH Photo Bengaluru: Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday voiced concerns over the farmers’ agitation against the proposed Bidadi township and said that the project should not “damage” the party and government. This is the first word of caution coming from within Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s Cabinet even as the Opposition BJP and JD(S) are cranking up pressure on the government to drop the project, which involves acquiring farmlands. The government has already issued a final notification for acquisition of 518 acres of land for the project, which requires 7,400 acres. “The party’s future depends on this. There shouldn’t be unnecessary confusion. A township shouldn’t end up burdening the government,” Satish told reporters when asked about farmers opposing the Bidadi township. The Cabinet meeting scheduled on June 20 is likely to discuss the Bidadi township project, Satish said. “No programme or project should damage the party. We’re mindful of this. A discussion is warranted keeping the party’s interests in mind,” he said. Addressing a news conference on …

Karnataka: Congress govt accused of misusing power Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar Bengaluru:The Karnataka Congress government, led by Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, finds itself embroiled in a fresh controversy after documents revealed sustained pressure on government officers to sanction valuable public lands for the construction of Congress Bhavans across the state. Critics allege the move is not only a blatant misuse of administrative machinery but also a dangerous precedent where public interest is being sacrificed to serve the ruling party’s political agenda. Pressure on officials According to official correspondence accessed byOrganiser WeeklyShivakumar, in his capacity as president of the Congress Bhavan Trust, wrote to Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan on September 1, 2025, demanding immediate approval for 25 pending land allotments across districts. The tone of the letter, sources say, left little room for bureaucratic discretion. It clearly instructed that proposals already lying with the department must be pushed to the Cabinet without delay. Following this, Minister Rahim Khan directed the Urban Develo…

'Step out of your luxury bubble': Nikhil Kumaraswamy slams Congress ... "Step out of your luxury bubble": Nikhil Kumaraswamy slams Congress over Bidadi land protest, questions Rahul Gandhi's 'Green over Greed' sermon By ANI | Updated: June 17, 2026 16:55 IST 2026-06-17T22:20:04+5:30 2026-06-17T16:55:09+5:30 Preferred on Preferred on Next Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 : The political standoff surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) in Bidadi ... "Step out of your luxury bubble": Nikhil Kumaraswamy slams Congress over Bidadi land protest, questions Rahul Gandhi's 'Green over Greed' sermon Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 : The political standoff surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) in Bidadi has intensified, with JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy launching a stinging attack on ruling Congress MLAs. In a post on X, Kumaraswamy on Wednesday accused legislators of being disconnected from the ground reality, suggesting they are enjoying leisure while thousands of farmers remain locked in an indefinite struggle against what he termed a "real estate land grab" worth Rs 33,562 crore. Kumaraswamy's remarks follow a …

Bidadi row: HDK accuses Congress government of misusing PM's name BENGALURU/MANDYA : Questioning Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s claim that the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project in Bidadi has the backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday accused the state government of using the PM’s name to push the project that is facing strong opposition from farmers. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy contended that similar township and industrial projects supported by Modi were implemented in earthquake-hit regions as part of rehabilitation efforts, whereas Bidadi is a fertile agricultural belt with plantations and dairy farming activities. He also questioned whether Shivakumar had fully apprised the PM of the ground realities before seeking support for the project. “The PM and CM met one-to-one and no one knows what they spoke. The chief minister should not misuse the name of the prime minister to sacrifice the interests of the farmers of the state. He has the power. He is an arrogant person who can do anything,” he said. Later in Mandya, Kumaraswamy branded Shivakumar as a “real estate tycoon”. He asked Shi…

BJP Mounts Pressure On Rahul Gandhi To Drop Bidadi Township Project In ... BENGALURU:Terming the proposed Bidadi Township Project in Bengaluru South district as a “state-engineered land grab,” State president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Sunday sought immediate intervention of a key decision-maker in Congress party and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to understand the anguish of farmers to part with their lands and direct Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar withdraw the project in the interest of protesting farmers of Bidadi. A letter to Rahul Gandhi by Vijayendra explained the lands identified for acquisition for Bidadi Township are fertile and farmers grow multi-crop in the region, Bidadi lands feed Bengaluru residents by supplying fruits/vegetables among others. Thousands of rural women have built independent, self-reliant livelihoods around agriculture in the region. Continuing, he said, the Bidadi Township project spread across 7, 481 acres stretching from Bidadi and Harohalli of Bengaluru South district to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar belongs. The project is projected as the second Central Business District of Benga…

Nikhil Kumaraswamy to lead massive padayatra against Bidadi Township ... KARNATAKA TOP NEWS Nikhil Kumaraswamy to lead massive padayatra against Bidadi Township project today JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy will lead an 11-km padayatra across eight villages in Bidadi today, backing farmers opposing the proposed AI City and township project and demanding that the government stop land acquisition. Dhanya Reddy 21 Jun 2026 09:44 IST Follow Us Advertisment Nikhil leads 11-km Bidadi padayatra. JD(S) backs protesting farmers. Demand to stop township project. JD(S) Launches 11-Km March Across Eight Villages in Support of Farmers Opposing Land Acquisition for Proposed Bidadi AI City Advertisment The agitation against the proposed Bidadi AI City and integrated township project is set to intensify on Sunday, with JD(S) organising a massive padayatra in support of farmers opposing the acquisition of agricultural land in Ramanagara district. The march, which is expected to begin shortly, will be led by JD(S) youth leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy. The party has planned an 11-kilometre padayatra covering eight villages that fall within the proposed project area. Through the march, JD(S) aims to incre…

Bihar Government to Establish 15-Acre 'Profit Zones' In Every Panchayat ... This is an AI- image for representation purposes. Patna:The Bihar government has announced plans to establish 15-acre agricultural clusters in every panchayat, focusing on the cultivation of cash crops such as tomatoes, chillies and garlic, in an effort to increase farmers’ incomes and expand the state’s presence in inter-state trade and exports. The agriculture minister, Ram Kripal Yadav, said the cluster-based model would encourage farmers to grow similar crops collectively rather than in isolation, improving productivity, quality and access to markets. The initiative is aimed particularly at small and marginal farmers, who make up the majority of Bihar’s agricultural workforce. Under the scheme, each panchayat will develop a structured cultivation zone of around 15 acres, where farmers will be supported to grow high-demand horticultural crops. Officials say tomatoes, chillies and garlic offer quicker returns and higher profits compared with traditional cereal crops, making them attractive options for income diversification. “These are direct cash crops,” Yadav said, adding that net earnings from suc…

APCRDA holds Grievance Day in Rayapudi to address farmers ... VIJAYAWADA: A ‘Grievance Day’ programme was organised at the Ground Floor of the APCRDA Head Office in Rayapudi to address issues faced by farmers and agricultural labourers in the Capital Region. Several residents of the Capital region submitted petitions to Additional Commissioner A Bhargava Teja, regarding village boundary disputes, street alignment issues, returnable plots registration, and other concerns related to the Capital region. The Additional Commissioner assured the petitioners that all grievances submitted would be resolved on a priority basis. Officers from various departments of APCRDA attended the Grievance Day and provided on-the-spot solutions to several issues raised by the applicants. He instructed officials not to show any negligence in resolving grievances and emphasised timely redressal. He appealed to farmers and residents of the Capital Region to make use of the Grievance Day, conducted every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the APCRDA Head Office in Rayapudi. A total of 80 petitions were received during the session. Officials present during the Grievance Day included Director (Land…

Bidadi Township: Farmers threaten 'Vidhana Soudha Chalo' | Dailyhunt B engaluru: Ramping up its opposition against the state government's urban expansion policies, the Samyukta Horata Karnataka (SHK) and Byramangala Mattu Kanchugaranahalli Raithara Bhu Horata Hitharakshana Sangha have threatened a massive, state-wide agitation and a 'Vidhana Soudha Chalo' march if the proposed Bidadi Township project is not scrapped immediately. Advertisement At a meeting held in Bidadi, farmer leaders, including T Yashavantha, said, "The core committee resolved to issue a strict deadline to the chief minister after submitting a comprehensive dossier detailing 80% to 89% of the local landowners, who are strictly refusing to part with their properties. They indicated that if the state fails to withdraw the preliminary notifications within the stipulated deadline, thousands of farmers from across Karnataka will march to Bengaluru to lay siege to the state secretariat. The coalition slammed the recent move to float a Rs 26-crore consultancy tender to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the township. Leaders termed the expenditure an 'illegal and premature exercise' given that the land acqui…

Tiruppur: Farmers allege encroachment by private estate at Jambukkal ... TIRUPPUR: Following complaints of encroachment of Jambukkal Hill, the Tiruppur district administration has ordered a survey of the hill and its fixed boundaries. Initiatives are under way to bring the hill under the control of the forest department. The Jambukkal Hill, located near Amaravathi Dam in Andiyagoundanur village of Udumalpet in Tiruppur district, is spread across 2,769 acres. It was recorded as a forest area as per the revenue department records in 1912. In 1972, as per a Government Order of 1971, 314.31 acres of level land on the hill were granted to about 200 landless farmers on a conditional patta basis. Now, farmers attached to the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Pathukappu Sangam have alleged that a private estate that bought the land from some of them is engaging in encroachment activities on the hill. A section of farmers have been engaged in a sit-in at the foothills, demanding an inquiry into the issue. "The private estate bought less than five acres of land and encroached a larger area on the hill." A senior revenue department official said, "Currently, the hill is classified as 'karadu’ (a rock…

KPRS to launch district-wide protest on February 12 for release of ... All News English Indian Sugar News Sugar News Kalaburagi: Farmers’ organisation Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) has announced a district-wide strike in Kalaburagi on February 12, demanding the release of sugarcane incentives, payment of pending dues by sugar mills, crop insurance compensation and a higher minimum support price for red gram, The Hindu reported. Speaking at a press conference on February 7, KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamashetty said sugarcane is grown on nearly 45,000 hectares in the district, with farmers facing financial strain due to rising input costs. He claimed that although the State government declared an incentive of ₹50 per tonne in November last year, farmers have yet to receive the payment, even as crushing has been completed on around 28,000 hectares. Mamashetty also alleged that the Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power sugar factory in Chincholi initially paid ₹2,550 per tonne and later added ₹150, leaving a significant portion unpaid. Under existing rules, the full payment should be made within 14 days, failing which farmers are entitled to interest, he said. Farmers hav…

450 Days Of Protest, 4,500 Objections: JDS' Kumaraswamy Accepts Debate ... The political battle over Karnataka's proposed Bidadi township project intensified on Monday, with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accepting Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's invitation for a public discussion on the controversial land acquisition plan. This came even as opposition to the project spread beyond the BJP and JD(S) to include a Congress ally. Kumaraswamy, however, added that he had requested the meeting to be rescheduled to June 27. "I have accepted his invitation. This is a question of farmers who are losing their land. They have been protesting for more than 450 days. This is an issue concerning the farming community, not any individual," Kumaraswamy said. Breaking It Down What legal actions is Kumaraswamy considering against the project? How does the Karnataka government justify the Bidadi project? What are the concerns raised by the opposition regarding the project? Created with AI. Errors are possible The Bidadi Township Project The Bidadi project, officially known as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), is a massive urban development plan proposed on more than 7,400 acres near Ben…

DKS ready to debate HDK on Bidadi township project BENGALURU:Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday invited Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy for a debate on the proposed Bidadi township project that the latter has been vehemently opposing. “I am ready for a debate with Kumaraswamy on Bidadi township. Let the media decide the date. I had accepted the challenge when he was CM. I am inviting him for the debate even now,” he told reporters after inaugurating a Ram temple near Kanakapura. He was responding to Kumaraswamy’s statement that the DK brothers must come for a debate on the project. “I am ready whenever Kumaraswamy is ready for the debate. Inform me three days before so that I can block my calendar. He (Kumaraswamy) is doing politics. It is not me who started this project, but it was him. He has admitted that he had promised 800 sqft of land to farmers. We are only continuing with the project now,” he said, responding to Kumaraswamy’s statement that he won’t allow Bidadi township. “Neither Kumarswamy nor I are permanent here, but our decisions will be. It will greatly benefit future generations and they will remember us. We have widened the roads in my constituency an…

Greater Bengaluru integrated township land won't be de-notified ... Agency News Regional Spread the love Tweet Greater Bengaluru integrated township land won’t be de-notified, not ready to go to jail like ex-K’taka CM Yediyurappa: Dy CM Shivakumar Ramanagara (Karnataka), Sep 5 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has blamed Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who had decided to establish the Bidadi township in the outskirts of Bengaluru, adding that he will not denotify the land and go to jail like former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. “I will sincerely try to help farmers within the framework of law,” Shivakumar said on Thursday. He was addressing protesting farmers in front of the Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday, who are opposing the land acquisition. “When the Bidadi industrial area was formed, farmers knew which government was in power. At that time, 16,000 acres of land were acquired. Companies including Toyota came to this region. Even I lost 12 acres of my land when it was acquired for the industrial area. The compensation given then did not even cross Rs 8 lakh,” he said. “To provide better compensation for …

From agricultural land to AI City: Farmers' resistance to the Greater ... Farmers from 26 villages under the Byramangala and Kanchugaranahalli gram panchayats near Bidadi in Ramanagara taluk have been on an indefiniteprotestagainst the Karnataka government’s move to push ahead with the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project. Touted as India’s firstAI city, the proposed township aims to create a “second central business district” across 9,000 acres located roughly 30 km from Bengaluru. Of this, over 2,000 acres have been set aside for AI-based industries and allied sectors. The project was firstproposedin 2006 but fierce resistance from local farmers halted the plan. It gained momentum in 2023 after the Greater Bengaluru Bidadi Smart City Planning Authority was upgraded to the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA). In March 2025, the state government issued anotherpreliminary notificationwithout consulting with farmers, triggering a fresh agitation. In September, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that as many as70 percentof landowners were in favour of the acquisition. Farmers, however,rejectedthis claim and said that not a single farmer was consul…

Bidadi Smart City Project Updates 2026 | GBIT Land Acquisition If you are tracking institutional real estate in Karnataka in 2026, the Western corridor is impossible to ignore. The state government has aggressively resurrected a project that has been gathering dust since 2006: theBidadi Smart City, now officially rebranded and expanded as theGreater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT). Driven by the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA)—an upgraded entity operating under the BMRDA—this is not just another plotted layout. It is a proposed ₹13,000 crore, 7,000+ acre mega-project spanning nine villages across the Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks. The government's stated goal is to create a "work-live-play" model, essentially a second central business district (CBD) heavily focused on AI industries, manufacturing, and Olympic-grade sports infrastructure. Brokers along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway are already spinning this narrative into gold, pushing raw agricultural parcels at inflated premiums."Buy now before the AI City is built,"is the pitch. But if you are a serious investor or an institutional acquirer, you cannot buy land based on press releases. You…

Bidadi township project: BJP, JD (S) urge Rahul Gandhi to stop ... The political battle over Karnataka's proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project in Bidadi intensified over the weekend, with the BJP and JD(S) separately writing to Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, urging him to intervene and stop the acquisition of thousands of acres of farmland for the ambitious township project. In a letter dated June 14, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra accused the Congress government of disregarding the concerns of more than 3,500 farmers from 25 villages who are opposing the acquisition of land for the proposed 18,000-crore township between Bidadi and Harohalli. Vijayendra claimed that around 7,481 acres of fertile agricultural land were being acquired despite prolonged protests by farmers and appealed to Rahul Gandhi to direct the state government to withdraw what he described as a "state-engineered land grab." A day earlier, Karnataka Pradesh Yuva Janata Dal (Secular) president Nikhil Kumaraswamy also wrote to Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the state government had issued final land acquisition notifications without securing adequate …

Karnataka: Dalits protest fund misallocation by state govt, demand ... On July 29, activists from the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti Swabhimani (Prof. B. Krishnappa faction) staged a protest in Mangaluru, alleging that funds earmarked for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) under the SCSP (Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) Act were being misappropriated for the state’s guarantee schemes. The protest, which took place near the clock tower in the city centre, saw hundreds of participants chanting slogans against the government while singing revolutionary songs accompanied by the beating of traditional tamata drums. The protesters demanded that funds allocated for SC/ST development schemes be immediately restored and not diverted for other purposes. They also called for the formation of a vigilance committee to monitor the allocation and usage of these grants. Among their other demands were the provision of free education from primary to higher levels using SCSP and TSP funds, self-employment allowances for unemployed SC/ST individuals, financial assistance for building well-equipped homes, and the distribution of five acres of land …

Bidadi Township Retreat — Can Karnataka Congress Be Both ... Somecongressleaders are signalling a possible retreat on the Bidadi Township Project after sustained farmer protests, BJP-JD(S) opposition, and internal unease, according to The Hindu. The reversal reveals a factional split between D.K. Shivakumar's infrastructure-drivencmambitions and the party's need to protect its rural base before 2028. Five hundred and sixteen acres is not a large parcel by the standards of industrial corridor ambition. But in IHG politics in 2026, those 516 acres of farmland near Bidadi — straddling the IHGuru-Mysuru highway, barely forty kilometres from India's techcapital— have become the precise ground on which thecongressgovernmentmust decide what kind ofpartyit wants to be. According to The Hindu, somecongressleaders are now signalling a possible rethink on the Bidadi Township Project if farmers remain unwilling to part with their lands. The retreat, still cautiously worded, is as revealing for what it says about the party's internal fissures as it is about the specific project. The facts are blunt. The IHGcongressgovernmentissued the final notification to acquire 516 acres of agricultural l…

Sugarcane growers stage rasta roko in Kalaburagi seeking payment of dues Members of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) and sugarcane growers of Kalaburagi district staged a rasta roko outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Thursday and demanded payment of dues for sugarcane supplied to various sugar factories in the district. KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamshetty said that a delegation of sugarcane growers met the Director and Commissioner of Sugarcane Development in Bengaluru on July 24 and sought intervention for the release of dues to sugarcane growers for their produce supplied to various sugar factories. Even after 12 days of the meeting, there has been no response either from the district administration or the sugar factories, Mr. Mamshetty added. Mr. Mamshetty said that KPR Sugars has to pay ₹17.82 crore for crushing 11 lakh tonnes of sugarcane supplied by 25,000 farmers. Similarly, Renuka Sugars has to pay ₹11.20 crore dues to 23,000 farmers. Mr. Mamshetty said that Renuka Sugars paid ₹2,550 per tonne against the fixed Fair Remunerative Price (FRP) of ₹3,282 per tonne. NSL Sugars in Aland taluk has paid ₹2,450 per tonne against the FRP of ₹…

MLAs seek solution to Simhachalam temple lands issue in Assembly VISAKHAPATNAM:The long-pending land issue concerning five villages under the jurisdiction of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple came up for discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday, urging the government to take time-bound steps towards a resolution. Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao said the issue relating to Adavivaram, Vepagunta, Cheemalapalli, Venkatapuram and Purushottapuram has figured in election agendas for nearly three decades. He observed that the matter has remained unresolved despite repeated assurances over the years and stressed the need for a clear timeline to address it. Referring to past initiatives, he recalled that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had constituted an Assembly House Committee in 1996 under the chairmanship of the late Gundu Appala Suryanarayana to examine the issue. He also cited G.O. 578 issued in 2000 and G.O. 229 issued in 2019 in connection with the matter. He alleged that G.O. 578 was withdrawn after the change in government in 2004 under the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. The MLA further stated that during the first Cabinet meeting held at Andhra Univers…

Bidadi AI City: Karnataka's ambitious township project — and ... Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. Bidadi AI City: Karnataka's ambitious township project — and controversy around it India 6 min. Read Bidadi AI City: Karnataka’s ambitious township project — and controversy around it By CurrentIndia.com June 28, 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Farmers stage a protest against the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project at Byramangala near Bidadi, in Bengaluru. (Janata Dal (Secular) via PTI Photo) Bidadi, a small town on the outskirts of Bengaluru, has become the centre of a major controversy in Karnataka.At the centre of the row is the proposed Bidadi Smart City project, officially known as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), which the Congress-led Karnataka government is moving forward with despite strong pushback from farmers, local residents, environmentalists, and opposition parties.For chief minister DK Shivakumar – the Bidadi township is widely regarded as one of his most ambitious projects – the controversy comes just days after C…

'Give us poison instead': Inside the 460-day protest against Bidadi AI ... Published Jun 22, 2026 | 10:54 AM⚊Updated Jun 22, 2026 | 11:06 AM For the past 460 days hundreds have been holding a continuous protest against the Bidadi AI township project. Synopsis:Karnataka wants to build a ₹18,000-crore “AI township” spread across nearly 9,600 acres of land in Bengaluru South district. The project promises to create jobs, decongest Bengaluru and build a futuristic “work-live-play” city. But for thousands of farmers, this is fertile agricultural land that has sustained generations through farming, dairy production and sericulture. For more than 460 days, they have been holding a continuous protest against the project. Some 40 kilometres from Karnataka’s capital, Bengaluru, lies the village of Allalasandra. Forty-two-year-old Sujatha moved to the village after her marriage more than two decades ago. Over the past 10 years, she and her husband have built a comfortable livelihood on their modest four-acre holding, rearing an ever-growing herd that now includes 10 cows, two goats and dozens of chickens. In 2025, the couple earned more than ₹13 lakh from dairy farming. “We supplied a l…

Bidadi township: Another Shivakumar-Kumaraswamy spat Home Politics What's the Bidadi township row that's kicked off another Shivakumar-Kumaraswamy spat Politics What’s the Bidadi township row that’s kicked off another Shivakumar-Kumaraswamy spat War of words between Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar over the the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, a project the govt claims will help farmers as well as decongest Bengaluru. Sharan Poovanna 30 September, 2025 07:00 am IST Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin File photo of JD(S) leader H.D.Kumaraswamy with D.K.Shivakumar of Congress | ANI Follow Us : Text Size: A- A+ Bengaluru: Former Member of Parliament and Congress leader D.K. Suresh Monday said that the primary goal of the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) at Bidadi is to make farmers stakeholders in the mega project rather than just provide high compensation for loss of land. “Those whose lands are not valued very high, we will ensure that a minimum of Rs 1.5 crore per acre is given. The DC (deputy commissioner) and government will review it and award it. Our main objective is not to give money but to make farmers stakeholders in the project,” Suresh, brother of Karnataka…

Why JD(S), BJP and farmers are opposing India's first AI-powered ... The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project has become a new battleground for Vokkaliga leaders H.D. Kumaraswamy and D.K. Shivakumar, highlighting concerns about fertile land, compensation, and political motives The proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project near Bidadi, approximately 30km from Bengaluru, has met with resistance from the Janata Dal (Secular) party, which launched a protest at Bidadi demanding that the government stop the acquisition of farmland across the 10 villages identified by the state government. Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who addressed a farmers' protest organised by his party at Bidadi through video conference on Sunday, said, "Farmers must not fear. Under the pretext of a township, fertile lands are being looted. We will not allow this. Not a single inch of land will be surrendered for the project." Last March, the Karnataka cabinet cleared the township project, which is billed as India’s first AI-powered "work-live-play" city near Bidadi in Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) district, and is designed to "ease pressure" on the state cap…

Minister Khandre slams Kumaraswamy on HMT forest land row, says no real ... BENGALURU: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre hit back at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy over allegations of encroachment of HMT land by the Forest Department in Bengaluru. Khandre said the central PSU HMT, not the Forest Department, had illegally encroached on non-diversified forest land and sold it to real estate firms. Speaking to the media, he said, “Now that orders have been issued for the eviction of forest land, there is no scope for any real estate activity here. So Kumaraswamy’s allegations don’t make any sense”. Responding to Kumaraswamy’s charge that the Forest Department encroached on HMT land to facilitate real estate, Khandre clarified that encroachment of non-diversified forest land was carried out by HMT and not the Forest Department. He said, “The encroachment of non-diversified forest land has been done by HMT, not the Forest Department. Once land is cleared under Section 64A of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, how can real estate be done there?” Khandre added that some officials had earlier filed an interlocutory application in the Supreme Court seeking de-notific…

Karnataka Government to start acquiring Bidadi land, notification in ... BENGALURU: Amid much opposition from farmers, the State Government is all set to issue the land acquisition notification for the Greater Bengaluru Township Project in Bidadi in the next three days. Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar, who met farmers from Bidadi on Wednesday, said 80% of the farmers are ready to give up their land, while funds to provide compensation to them will be released from the first week of June. After meeting farmers, Shivakumar told reporters that most of them did not just give their nod for the project, but also wanted the compensation released at the earliest. “In the final land acquisition notification, three villages will be made into a pocket, and the compensation will be paid accordingly.” He further advised farmers not to sell their land now. “Once the township notification is issued, the price of land will increase. I have taken farmers into confidence and offered them higher compensation,” he added. “This project was not done by me; it was done when HD Kumaraswamy was chief minister, and they had decided to pay Rs 8,000 per sqft to DLF,…

Karnataka notifies 499 acres for GBIT, India's first AI City near Bengaluru BENGALURU TOP NEWS Karnataka notifies 499 acres for GBIT, India's first AI City near Bengaluru The Karnataka government has issued the final notification to acquire nearly 500 acres for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township near Bidadi. The ₹20,000-crore AI City project is moving ahead despite strong opposition from farmers and political groups. Dhanya Reddy 12 Jun 2026 11:05 IST Follow Us Advertisment Final notification issued for acquisition of nearly 500 acres. AI City project planned across around 7,500 acres. Farmers continue to oppose the large-scale land acquisition. Despite opposition from farmers and political parties, the Karnataka government has issued the final notification to acquire nearly 500 acres for the first phase of the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, popularly known as India's First AI City. Advertisment The Karnataka government has taken a major step towards implementing the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) near Bidadi by issuing the final notification for land acquisition in the project's first phase. The decision comes despite continued prote…

AP: Five Categories of Land Removed from Prohibited List Vijayawada:In a major New Year gift, the three-party alliance government has removed five categories of land from the prohibited list under Section 22-A. The revenue department took action in this respect on Thursday following Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's advice to provide some long-awaited relief to farmers and landowners. Naidu has directed revenue officials to resolve the issues surrounding Section 22A of prohibited lands expeditiously. He emphasised the need for a proper survey to delist genuine private properties that were wrongly included. The CM had promised the people during the last year’s election campaign to resolve the prohibited lands issues. After assuming charge, he conducted review meetings and issued directions to resolve the issue. He asked officials to re-examine details of 5,74,908 acres of assigned land that was placed under freehold status during the previous government’s term. Naidu reiterated that the government’s aim was justice for landowners and farmers, ensuring that rightful lands are freed from unnecessary prohibitions and disputes are resolved at the local level “in an efficient an…

Notification for acquisition of 518 acres issued for Bidadi township ... RAMANAGARA: Amid debates for and against the Bidadi satellite township project, being implemented by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), the state government has issued the final notification for the project and, in the initial phase, ordered the acquisition of 518 acres of land across three villages. Following the tussle over the Bidadi township project, the state government has issued the final notification despite farmers’ opposition. Out of the 7,418 acres of land acquisition across nine revenue villages under the project area, it has issued the final notification for the initial phase covering 518 acres across three villages. The government has issued the notification for land acquisition of around 754 farmers’ lands in Kempaiahnapalya, Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli villages in Bidadi hobli. The Urban Development Department has instructed farmers to submit proper documents and claim compensation, fixing a minimum rate of Rs 2.07 crore per acre. Documents related to land rights including sale deed, gift deed, partition deed, along with confirmation letters and ID cards, must be submitted to…

Farmers near victory after almost 1,200 days of protest against land ... Thousands of farmers and workers rallied at Freedom Park on July 4 along with AIKS leader Vijoo Krishnan against forcible acquisition of farmland. Photo: AIKS / X On the 1,188th consecutive day of protest against the forcible land acquisition from the farmers of 13 villages in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, its Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah met with movement leaders on July 4. As a “gift” to the CM , the delegates carried mangoes, flowers, and seasonal vegetables grown on their threatened land, highlighting the fertility of the 1,777 acres his government is acquiring, allegedly for real estate interests. Hinting at his willingness to retreat, his office released a statement after the meeting, explaining that his government needed 10 days to examine the legal complexities involved in reversing the acquisition process for which his government had already issued the final notices this April. “A meeting with farmers will be held” on July 15 “after resolving the legal hurdles,” Siddaramaiah said. Resistance continues Until then, the farmers will continue their protest, shifting its center from Freedom …

Karnataka: Farmers intensify protest against Bidadi township The farmers’ protest against the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) around Bidadi escalated on September 28 as Janata Dal (Secular) leaders mounted vocal support for aggrieved cultivators, warning the state government against forcibly acquiring agricultural land. Speaking to hundreds of villagers and supporters, Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy vowed he would stand with the farmers “as long as I live” and warned Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar that those who trample farmers’ rights would be held to account. The JD(S) has framed the dispute as one between smallholders and powerful interests behind an ambitious plan to convert nearly 9,000–9,600 acres of farmland in and around Bidadi into an integrated, AI-focused township. Party youth leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy — speaking both at the protest site and via a live virtual address — accused officials of conducting coercive surveys and intimidation, and said the party would support any non-violent action the villagers choose, including marches to the Vidhana Soudha if the project is not withdrawn. “If the authorities and police oppress the farmers an…

Bidadi Township row turns into DKS vs HDK showdown as land acquisition ... BENGALURU TOP NEWS Bidadi Township row turns into DKS vs HDK showdown as land acquisition sparks fresh political battle The Bidadi Township project has triggered a fresh political clash between D.K. Shivakumar and H.D. Kumaraswamy. As the government moves ahead with land acquisition, JD(S) leaders have rallied behind protesting farmers and promised legal and political support. Dhanya Reddy 14 Jun 2026 10:04 IST Follow Us Advertisment Government issues final notification for Bidadi Township. JD(S) backs protesting farmers and plans legal fight. Nikhil Kumaraswamy visits affected villages and attacks government move. With the government issuing the final notification for the Bidadi Township project, H.D. Kumaraswamy and Nikhil Kumaraswamy have stepped up support for protesting farmers, setting the stage for an intensified political confrontation with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Advertisment The long-running controversy surrounding the proposed Bidadi Township project has now evolved into a major political confrontation between Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. While the S…