Karnataka forms 4-member committee amid concerns over Bidadi township

The Karnataka government has constituted a committee to examine the proposed Bidadi Township project, amid growing concerns and differing views over the ambitious development plan in Bengaluru South district.

The committee, headed by retired High Court judge Justice Guhanathan Narendar, will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburb project and submit its report within 30 days, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.

Its members include retired Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, retired Additional Chief Secretary S R Umashankar and retired IAS officer Prasanna Kumar.

The committee will examine the project from the perspectives of legality, humanitarian considerations and comprehensive development before making recommendations to the government.

The CMO said Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had already clarified that land would not be acquired forcibly from anyone. The government will also consider suggestions and opinions from the public to ensure that the project is implemented in a people-friendly manner.

The decision comes ahead of the Karnataka Legislative Session beginning August 13, with the Opposition BJP and JD(S) preparing to raise the issue in the Assembly. The JD(S) has also announced a foot march to Bidadi, with August 14 emerging as the likely date.

Several groups, including farmers and villagers, have been protesting against the proposed AI-powered integrated township, which is one of Shivakumar’s ambitious projects.

The government had recently issued a final notification for acquiring 499 acres across three villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks for the township.

The integrated suburb project traces its origins to a 2006 decision to develop a planned township near Bidadi. The revived proposal seeks to meet rising investment demand around Bengaluru, reduce displacement of residential areas and provide better value to landowners.

The proposed project is expected to cover 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region. The committee’s recommendations are expected to play a key role in determining the project’s future and addressing concerns raised by affected communities before taking any further action.