Bidadi AI Township Plan: What is Karnataka govt’s GBIT project and why is it under fire

Karnataka is set to host India’s first-ever AI-powered township, as the state government has issued a final notification for the acquisition of nearly 500 acres of land for the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) near Bidadi.

However, the proposal has met opposition from farmers and political parties.The notification covers 499 acres across Kempayyanapalya, Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks. It comes nearly a month after the state cabinet gave its final approval to the project, clearing the way for land acquisition and setting the stage for a futuristic smart urban hub built around AI-driven infrastructure and integrated planning.

What is the GBIT project?

The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) is a proposed integrated township planned near Bidadi, around 30 kilometres from Bengaluru. The Karnataka government describes it as India's first and largest AI-powered township.The project is estimated to cost around Rs 20,000 crore and is planned across nearly 7,500 acres covering nine villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks.According to the government, the township is intended to ease pressure on Bengaluru by redistributing population and economic activity through planned and sustainable urban development.

A work-live-play city

The government has positioned GBIT as a "Work-Live-Play" model, integrating residential, commercial and social infrastructure into a self-sustaining ecosystem.At the centre of the development will be a new central business district (CBD) designed to attract investment and generate employment opportunities across technology, industry and services.The proposed township will include residential zones, schools, hospitals, green parks, entertainment hubs and AI-powered civic services.Plans also include cultural venues, public parks, sports infrastructure, an international cricket stadium and Olympic-standard training facilities.According to the government, the project will feature AI and technology-driven industrial zones, AI-enabled homes, skill development centres, and even medical hubs.

Connectivity and infrastructure

The proposed city will have access to National Highways 275 and 209 and will benefit from its proximity to Bidadi railway station and the proposed suburban rail network.

The government also plans to integrate the township with Metro Phase 3 and the airport corridor.Officials say the development is intended to function as a modern urban hub capable of supporting Bengaluru's future growth requirements.

Why is the project facing opposition?

The first phase of acquisition covers approximately 367 acres in Kempayyanapalya, 70 acres in Mandalahalli and 61 acres in Vaderahalli.According to the final notification, objections raised during the acquisition process were examined before the government decided to proceed.

To compensate affected landowners, the government has offered a package ranging from Rs 2.07 crore to Rs 2.5 crore per acre. Landowners may also opt for up to a 50% share in the developed land.The government has described its approach as a "landowner as partner" model, under which farmers would be treated as stakeholders in the project. It has also stated that villages within the project area won’t lose their cultural identity.Environmental concerns have also been raised by critics, who claim that lakhs of trees could be affected by the proposed development.The government, however, maintains that sustainability is a central element of the project. It says the township will follow a zero-carbon, zero-waste, zero-traffic model supported by extensive green buffer areas and digital twin technology for planning and governance.Officials have also highlighted plans to rejuvenate the Byramangala lake as part of the development, while incorporating large green and open spaces within the township.