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India’s first AI-powered city near Bengaluru is facing protests from farmers over land acquisition. This is why the Bidadi Township project has become a political issue.
Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, known as Bidadi Township, is touted to be India’s first AI-powered city. (PTI video screengrab)
The Karnataka government’s ambitious plan to build India’s first “AI-powered city” near Bengaluru has hit a major hurdle as farmers protest against the acquisition of agricultural land and opposition parties have turned the issue into a political one.
The proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), located at Bidadi, about 40 km from Bengaluru, is being projected as a futuristic urban hub that will leverage artificial intelligence and smart technologies while reducing pressure on the fast-growing state capital.
But for hundreds of farming families in the area, the project has become a battle for land, livelihood and consent.
What is the proposed AI-powered city in Bidadi?
Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) is a large-scale urban development project planned in Bidadi and Harohalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Spread over approximately 9,600 acres, the township is envisioned as a technology-driven city with advanced infrastructure, smart urban planning and AI-enabled governance systems. The state government has described it as India’s first “AI-powered city”, where artificial intelligence will be integrated into urban management, mobility, public services and infrastructure planning.
The project is also expected to support the growing population of Bengaluru by creating new residential, commercial and industrial areas beyond the increasingly congested area of the city.
Features proposed for the township include AI-powered residential and industrial districts, zero-traffic mobility corridors, smart public infrastructure, world-class schools and hospitals, employment opportunities for local communities and integrated urban services powered by digital technologies.
The first phase of the project involves the acquisition of about 500 acres of land, while the extensive township is expected to require 7,400 to 7,500 acres of land.
How did the project start?
The township project is not entirely new. Originally conceived as Bidadi Integrated Township in 2006, it was proposed by then Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy as a solution to Bengaluru’s growing housing and infrastructure needs. However, the project remained dormant for years after real estate giant DLF backed out following the global financial crisis of 2008–09.
The proposal was revived after the Congress government came to power in Karnataka in 2023. An initial land acquisition notification was issued in March 2025, followed by further acquisition steps under the current administration.
Why are farmers opposing this project?
Fifth note of musical scaleThe main source of opposition is land acquisition. Farmer A.R.The township is estimated to require large amounts of fertile agricultural land on which local families have sustained for generations. Many people fear losing not only their land but also their primary source of livelihood. Residents also claim they have not been adequately consulted and say the project prioritizes urban development over the interests of farming communities.
Protests against the project have been going on for over a year, with farmers demanding that the government either abandon the plan or make significant amendments to it.
The situation worsened recently when villagers reportedly stopped government officials from conducting land surveys in parts of the project area.
Farmer groups insist that development should not come at the expense of agriculture and warn that forced land acquisition could permanently alter the social and economic fabric of the region.
Which villages are affected?
Last month, the government issued the final acquisition notification for about 499 acres of land spread across several villages.
The villages affected include:
Bhairamangala
bannigiri
Hosur
Vaderahalli
Kanchugarnahalli
kempayyana palya
KG Golara Palya
Mandalahalli
Arlalusandra
The protest intensified after hundreds of farmers gathered. Many of them women armed with brooms clashed with the survey teams and forced officials to suspend fieldwork. Reports also suggest clashes with police and damage to government vehicles during the agitation.
What compensation has the government given?
To address concerns over land acquisition, the Karnataka government has offered two broad options to land owners.
Affected farmers can either accept monetary compensation ranging from ₹2.07 crore to ₹2.5 crore per acre, depending on the category of land, or retain up to 50% of the developed land within the township after the development is completed. times of India Informed.
The government has also announced compensation for trees that may be removed as part of the project:
- ₹25,000 per coconut tree
- ₹45,000 per mango tree
- ₹6,000 per betel nut tree
Despite these proposals, many farmers believe that no amount of compensation can replace productive agricultural land.
What has the Karnataka government said?
Amid growing criticism, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has tried to reassure farmers by distancing himself from claims that the project is driven by him personally. The chief minister also argued that the township proposal was a continuation of the schemes launched by previous governments, including those led by HD Kumaraswamy and BS Yediyurappa.
He further announced that the state government will form a committee to examine the merits and concerns of the project before going ahead.
What are BJP, JD(S) saying?
TeaHe said that BJP has openly supported the protesting farmers and the accused. The Congress government is giving priority to real estate development over agricultural interests.
Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra said land acquisition should not proceed unless a large section of farmers agree to voluntarily give up their land.
“As chief minister of the state, his priority should be farmers and not real estate,” Vijayendra said.
He argued that the project should not proceed unless at least 70% of the affected farmers consent to the acquisition and warned against any attempts to forcibly acquire land.
BJP ally Janata Dal (S), whose previous government had originally proposed the townships, has also criticized the Congress government’s handling of the issue.
Union Minister and JD(S) Leader HD Kumaraswamy accused the state government of targeting He described the protests by farmers as a “fake” police case.
According to Kumaraswamy, FIRs were lodged against villagers, including women and persons who were allegedly not present during the protests. He claimed that these cases were aimed at intimidating farmers and suppressing opposition to the project.
Kumaraswamy has announced plans to visit the affected villages and said his party will provide legal aid to those facing police action.
what happens next?
The future of AI-powered townships will likely depend on how the government addresses concerns over land acquisition, resettlement, compensation and farmer consent.
While officials argue that Bengaluru urgently needs planned urban expansion and new development corridors, farmers are determined to oppose any project that they believe threatens their livelihoods and agricultural heritage.
At the moment, Karnataka’s vision of building India’s first AI-powered city is caught between two competing priorities: an emphasis on technology-led urban growth and the protection of agricultural lands that have sustained local communities for generations.
The AI City project near Bengaluru is facing massive opposition from farmers opposing land acquisition. Farmers have chased away officials conducting surveys and some political parties have criticized the government’s handling of the issue.
About the author
Saurabh Verma is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking regime change, election strategy…read more
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