New Delhi/Bengaluru: The political tussle over the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project at Bidadi continued on Thursday, with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy writing to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for a second time and inviting him to visit Byramangala village on June 27 for an on-site interaction with residents likely to be affected by the proposed project.
The Bidadi Township Project has emerged as a major political flashpoint in Karnataka, with Kumaraswamy challenging Shivakumar to hold discussions in the protest-hit region and allow farmers to voice their concerns over land acquisition and compensation. Shivakumar had invited Kumaraswamy to his office at Vidhana Soudha on June 26 along with a team of five experts.
The fresh communication follows the absence of any response from the state government or the Chief Minister to Kumaraswamy’s earlier letter seeking a joint visit to the project area to hear the concerns of affected communities firsthand.
Maintaining his position that discussions on a project of such magnitude should take place in the presence of those whose livelihoods and lands stand to be impacted, the Union Minister once again appealed to the Chief Minister to visit Byramangala along with officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and other concerned departments.
In his letter dated June 25, 2026, Kumaraswamy noted that he was still awaiting a reply to his communication of June 22.
“I wish to draw your kind attention to your letter dated June 22, 2026, addressed to me and to my response sent on the same day. I trust my communication has received your consideration and I continue to await your response,” the Minister wrote.
Kumaraswamy informed the Chief Minister that he would be visiting Byramangala village on June 27, 2026, to meet farmers facing displacement, agricultural labourers, women engaged in dairy farming, small entrepreneurs and other local residents apprehensive about the implications of the proposed township project.
“I have enclosed my tour programme for June 27, 2026, for your perusal. Should you deem it appropriate to visit Byramangala on the same day, accompanied by officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), I believe we can jointly listen to the grievances and concerns of the affected sections and explore practical alternatives at the site itself,” he stated.
The Minister’s office has forwarded the letter, along with the detailed itinerary of his proposed visit, to the Chief Minister’s Office at Vidhana Soudha through his personal staff. The communication has also been released to the media, with Kumaraswamy expressing hope that the Chief Minister would respond positively to the invitation and participate in a constructive dialogue with the affected residents.
The Bidadi Township Project, officially called the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project (GBIT), is a major Karnataka government initiative aimed at creating a large satellite township near Bidadi, about 30–40 km from Bengaluru, to reduce pressure on the city’s infrastructure and promote planned urban growth.
The project is estimated to cost between Rs 18,000 crore and Rs 20,000 crore and is envisioned as a “work-live-play” township, with residential, commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare facilities. The government has also projected it as an AI-powered urban development hub.
The Karnataka government first issued preliminary land acquisition notifications in March 2025. Subsequently, the Cabinet approved the project in May 2026. On June 12, 2026, the government issued the final notification for the acquisition of about 518 acres in the first phase, covering parts of Kempayyanapalya, Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli villages.
Union Minister Kumaraswamy has called on farmers not to give away their agricultural land to the government. The BJP has also announced support for farmers opposing the land acquisition process for the project.
(IANS)
