Karnataka sets up ex-Chief Justice-led panel to review Bidadi township

Karnataka has formed a high-level committee to review the proposed Bidadi Township amid protests and political opposition. The panel's findings, due in 30 days, will shape the government's next move ahead of the Assembly session.A recent protest against the proposed AI-powered township project in Bidadi, with farmers opposing the Karnataka government's land acquisition plans. (Photo: ITG)The Karnataka government has constituted a high-level committee headed by retired High Court judge Justice Guhanathan Narendar to review the proposed Bidadi Township, also known as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburb project, amid mounting opposition from farmers, villagers and political parties.According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the four-member panel has been asked to submit its report within 30 days. The committee also includes retired Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath, retired Additional Chief Secretary S.R. Umashankar and retired IAS officer Prasanna Kumar.The panel will evaluate the project from legal, humanitarian and developmental perspectives before making recommendations to the government. The move comes days before the Karnataka Legislature's session begins on August 13, with the opposition BJP and JD(S) preparing to target the government over the project.The CMO reiterated that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has already assured that no land would be acquired forcibly for the township. It added that public feedback and stakeholder consultations would be considered to ensure the project is implemented in a people-friendly manner. "The government has already clarified that it will give due consideration to public advice, suggestions, and opinions to implement the project in a people-friendly manner. Respecting the aspirations of the people, taking everyone into confidence, and shaping this project even better is the government's intent, and in this backdrop, the committee has been formed," the CMO said in a post on X. Originally conceived in 2006 as an integrated suburb near Bengaluru, the project was shelved for years before being revived by the state government. The revamped Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburb project aims to accommodate rising investment demand around Bengaluru while reducing displacement and offering better value to landowners, the government said.The administration maintains that the project will be refined by taking into account public concerns and local aspirations, prompting the formation of the review committee.The announcement comes against the backdrop of protests by several groups opposing the proposed AI-powered integrated township in the Bidadi region of Ramanagara district, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru.Despite resistance from sections of farmers and residents, the government recently issued a final notification to acquire 499 acres across three villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks for the first phase of the project. The township is one of Shivakumar's flagship initiatives and is being promoted as India's first AI-powered integrated township.The project is expected to span about 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region.Meanwhile, the JD(S) has announced plans for a foot march to Bidadi, likely to begin on August 14, while both the BJP and JD(S) have said they will raise the issue aggressively during the upcoming Assembly session.- EndsPublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Aug 9, 2026 01:30 IST