Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Bidadi farmers meet Shivakumar, ready to give land for GBIT
Some farmers who live near a town called Bidadi, next to the big city of Bengaluru in India, are helping build something new.
The leaders of their state, called the Karnataka government, want their land to build a huge new township.
They say it will be India's first smart township powered by artificial intelligence, or AI.
Some farmers are happy to give up their land because they will get money and new land in return.
They met the Chief Minister, D K Shivakumar, and asked him to hurry up and finish getting the land.
But other farmers and local people do not want to give away their good farming land.
Some political parties, like BJP and JD(S), are supporting them.
The JD(S) started a three-day protest walk but stopped early, saying the police blocked them.
The Chief Minister says the government will not force anyone and will only take land from people who agree.
A special committee led by a retired judge is also listening to everyone's views about the project.
A section of farmers from areas around Bidadi met Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha and urged him to issue final notifications for acquiring remaining land for the GBIT project.
The farmers asked the government to remove red-zone restrictions that freeze construction and land transactions, saying they are ready to part with their land in return for monetary and land compensation.
Another section of farmers and locals, along with farmers' organisations, BJP and JD(S), strongly opposes the acquisition of fertile agricultural land for the project.
Shivakumar said he will discuss the matter with officials before issuing final notifications and will acquire land only from those willing to give it voluntarily, asserting no one will be forced.
The government has issued final notifications for over 5,400 acres across seven villages; the project, billed as India's first AI-powered integrated township, needs about 9,600 acres, and JD(S) called off its three-day march on Monday.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and a section of Bidadi farmers, opposed by another section of farmers, locals, farmers' organisations, BJP and JD(S).
- What
- Discussions and final notification requests for land acquisition for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project, billed as India's first AI-powered integrated township.
- When
- On Tuesday, August 11; the JD(S) ended its three-day march a day early on Monday.
- Where
- Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru; project sites around Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, Karnataka.
- Why
- The government needs land for the GBIT project, while farmers seek compensation and relief from red-zone restrictions imposed in the area.
Farmers ready to give land
Farmers and parties opposing acquisition
Land acquisition for GBIT
Farmers ready to give land
A section of Bidadi farmers says they are facing problems due to red-zone restrictions and are ready to part with their land in return for monetary and land compensation.
Farmers and parties opposing acquisition
Another section of farmers and locals, along with farmers' organisations, BJP and JD(S), strongly opposes the acquisition of fertile agricultural land for the project.
Protests and their legitimacy
Farmers ready to give land
CM Shivakumar says only a few farmers joined the JD(S) march, most of them from Mandya, Mysuru and Tumakuru, and calls the protest political; he also asked why H D Kumaraswamy did not protest when 1,000 acres were acquired during the BJP government.
Farmers and parties opposing acquisition
JD(S) says it was forced to call off its three-day march on Monday because police stopped the marchers from walking ahead.
- Project
- Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT)
- Project status claim
- India's 'first AI-powered integrated township'
- Location
- Bidadi, Bengaluru South district, Karnataka
- Land required
- About 9,600 acres across nine revenue villages and 16 non-revenue villages (per sources)
- Final notifications issued
- Over 5,400 acres across seven villages (two sets)
- Preliminary notification
- 7,481 acres across nine villages, issued in March last year
- Review committee head
- Retired High Court Judge Justice Guhanathan Narendar
- Farmers' demand
- Removal of red-zone restrictions freezing construction and land transactions