Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Karnataka Governor Suggests Using Unused NICE Land for Bidadi Township
The Governor of Karnataka has a plan to build a big new town called the Bidadi Township.
The government wanted to buy land from farmers to build it.
Many farmers were worried because they grow crops, keep silkworms, and raise cows on that land.
They did not want to lose their homes and farms.
So the Governor suggested using land that was given to a company called NICE a long time ago but was never used.
A court has also said the unused land should be given back to the government.
Of the land given to NICE in 1997, only a little bit was used for a road.
Now the government is thinking about using that empty land instead of taking land from farmers.
Meanwhile, two political groups are arguing about the township project.
The Governor has asked officials to look into the matter and report back.
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot suggested using 6,757 acres of unused NICE land for the Bidadi township instead of acquiring 7,431 acres from farmers.
The Governor wrote to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajaneesh, citing farmer petitions and Karnataka High Court orders asking the government to reclaim unused NICE land.
NICE was allotted land in 1997 for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor, but only 376 acres were used for a ring road.
The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project was originally initiated by H D Kumaraswamy and contracted to DLF, which later backed out.
The project has become a Congress-JD(S) fight, with D K Shivakumar reviving it while Kumaraswamy opposes it after a report that his family owns land in the area.
- Who
- Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajaneesh.
- What
- Governor Gehlot suggested shifting the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (Bidadi) project to 6,757 acres of unused NICE land to avoid fresh acquisition of 7,431 acres from farmers.
- When
- The Governor's letter came around August 18; the Karnataka High Court asked the government to reclaim unused NICE land in January and July.
- Where
- Bidadi and Bengaluru in Karnataka.
- Why
- To reduce compulsory land acquisition and stop farmers in nine villages from being displaced.
Congress-led Government
JD(S) and Farm Groups
Bidadi Township Project
Congress-led Government
D K Shivakumar's Congress government is reviving the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project, which falls in his home district.
JD(S) and Farm Groups
H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) opposes the project; it was later revealed that his family members own land in the proposed project area.
Land Acquisition
Congress-led Government
The government planned to acquire 7,431 acres across nine villages to build the township.
JD(S) and Farm Groups
Farmers, social activists and farmer organisations from the Bidadi region petitioned against compulsory acquisition and displacement from their villages.
Land Sourcing
Congress-led Government
The government had planned fresh acquisition of farmland for the project.
JD(S) and Farm Groups
The Governor, citing High Court orders, suggested reusing 6,757 acres of unused NICE land instead of fresh acquisition.
- Governor
- Thawar Chand Gehlot
- Proposed land acquisition
- 7,431 acres across nine villages
- NICE land allotment year
- 1997
- NICE land used
- 376 acres
- NICE land unused
- 6,757 acres
- Project name
- Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (Bidadi)
- Original developer
- DLF
- High Court orders
- January and July, to take back unused NICE land