No forced land takeover for GBIT project: Karnataka Dy CM Parmeshwara

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said the State Government would take farmers into confidence and acquire land only with their consent for the proposed GBIT project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, making it clear that there was no point in forcibly evicting farmers to build the township.

He said the Government’s goal is to develop the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township without any conflict or confusion. “As I have said earlier, we will not evict farmers. There is no point in forcibly removing farmers to construct a township. We will take them into confidence and acquire land only with their consent. The Chief Minister has already issued clear instructions to this effect,” Parameshwara said in response to a question about whether the CM’s decision regarding the proposed Bidadi Township would change in favour of farmers.

Speaking to reporters, he said the Government was willing to revise the compensation if the farmers felt the amount offered was inadequate.
Despite opposition from sections of farmers and villagers, a final notification was recently issued for  acquisition of 499 acres across 3 villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks for Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, one of Shivakumar’s ambitious projects, projected as India’s “first AI-powered integrated township”.

The project is expected to cover a total of 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region, sources said, adding that the notification issued recently is likely the first in a series of land acquisition notifications expected in the coming days.
The Government fixed the land price at `2.30 crore per acre. The payout also includes extra money depending on the types of crops growing on the land, sources added. 
Asked whether the Government was planning the township with a long-term view of securing water resources for future AI hubs, Parameshwara said, “At present, no one has complete clarity about all the requirements and parameters for establishing AI centres. Each one is saying different things. This project is not being undertaken specifically for AI hubs.”

He explained that the primary objective of the township is to reduce the increasing pressure on Bengaluru, including severe traffic congestion.
“When the NICE project was conceived, there was a proposal to develop seven townships around Bengaluru. The idea was to reduce the burden on the city by developing nearby towns such as Kolar, Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Bidadi. If these surrounding areas are developed, it will ease the pressure on Bengaluru. We are hopeful that the Bidadi Township will contribute toward that objective,” he added.