The protesting groups are set to move the court, alleging that the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), the implementing agency, has not obtained the consent of 80% of the farmers losing their land.
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The opposition to the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project is set to take another turn, as nearly 40 farmers’ groups are planning a large-scale protest after the State government on Thursday issued a final notification to acquire 518.45 acres of land in the first phase.
The protesting groups are set to move the court, alleging that the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), the implementing agency, has not obtained the consent of 80% of the farmers losing their land. In addition, farmer groups will gather in Bidadi on June 16 to discuss the matter and plan further measures to oppose the project.
On Thursday, the GBDA issued a final notification to acquire 499.14 acres of farmland and 19.31 acres of kharab land, totalling 518.45 acres, across three villages. The GBDA will acquire 384.22 acres in Kempayyanapalya, 63.10 acres in Vaderahalli, and 71.13 acres in Mandalahalli.
However, the project requires the acquisition of 9,600 acres of land spread across nine revenue villages and 16 non-revenue villages in Bidadi, a town about 40 km from Bengaluru.
The plan is to build India’s first AI-powered Work-Live-Play Township, popularly known as Bidadi Township. The government describes the project as “futuristic”, with the potential to decongest Bengaluru city, create one lakh jobs with a focus on local employment and boost the State’s economy.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who has been spearheading the project, had said that the nine villages would be grouped into three packages and that final notifications would be issued in three stages.
Farmers’ retaliation
Prakash G., a leader of the protesting farmers, said that the move to group the villages into three clusters is intended to create the impression that the project is progressing steadily and to demoralise the farmers, but that it would not stop them from protesting.
He pointed out that the final notification has been issued for three villages, among which several farmers have agreed to part with their land, and that the total area being acquired in this package amounts to barely 5% of the total requirement, just over 500 acres out of 9,600 acres.
“For them (the government), this is an opportunity to turn our fertile land into a concrete jungle to benefit the big city and make money. For us, this is our livelihood, home, and everything. They are not just acquiring land but breaking a society,” he said.
Mr. Prakash said that they are prepared for a legal battle and that the real standoff begins now.
“We were waiting for the final notification because even to get a stay, something has to begin. We are ready with the documents and will soon move the court,” he added.
Meeting on June 16
Chukki Nanjundaswamy, a farmer leader, confirmed that several groups would host a meeting on June 16, bringing together farmers’ organisations, traders’ groups, women’s organisations, and backward classes unions.
Yashavantha T., State general secretary of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS), said that Mr. Shivakumar is pushing ahead with the project despite strong resistance and is dismissing all concerns raised by farmers.
“Farmers’ protests have always demonstrated unity and brought down many such projects. This is a disastrous project, and it will face strong opposition from us,” he told The Hindu.
The GBIT is one of the five major infrastructure projects spearheaded by Mr. Shivakumar. The others include Tunnel Roads, Elevated Corridors, the Bengaluru Business Corridor, and roads along drain buffers.
Published – June 12, 2026 10:00 pm IST
