The long-delayed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) will be developed as India’s first and largest Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered integrated township, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Thursday.
Spread across 8,493 acres, preliminary notification for which was issued in March earlier this year, the “work-live-play” model township is envisioned as Karnataka’s second central business hub, estimated to cost over ₹20,000 crore and will be completed over the next three years, Mr. Shivakumar said.
“Over 2,000 acres have been earmarked for AI-based industries and ancillaries. The project is expected to create lakhs of new jobs across IT, AI, start-ups, and service sectors. Dedicated skilling centres will train the workforce for AI-driven and future-ready industries,” he said.
GBIT will include residential spaces, healthcare, education, and cultural facilities. More than 1,100 acres will be reserved for parks and open spaces, making it one of India’s most sustainable green cities.
Compensation package
Since the project requires 6,731 acres of private land across nine villages, the government has planned compensation under a framework aligned with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
In a first-of-its-kind measure, the government will provide livelihood support from the date of the final notification until monetary compensation is paid or developed sites are handed over. Under the plan, Kushki landowners will receive ₹30,000 per acre annually, Tari landowners ₹40,000, Bhagait landowners ₹50,000, and landless families ₹25,000 per year. The Deputy Chief Minister also assured that habitations in the notified township area will be retained and not acquired.
Better connectivity
Highlighting past shortcomings, officials said that earlier township plans failed due to poor connectivity. This time, a 300-metre-wide business corridor with a 90-metre road will be built to connect the township seamlessly from all directions. “We have learnt this lesson,” the government said in a press note, adding that the township is being designed for best access and zero traffic jams.
The township will be located 9 km from STRR Road, 11 km from NICE Road, 5 km from the Mysuru–Bengaluru Highway, and 2.2 km from the Bengaluru–Dindigul Highway.
Loan to fund project
Financial resources for the project have been secured in advance. Internal funding of ₹2,950 crore has been set aside from Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s existing funds, while ₹17,500 crore will be raised externally through financial institutions, backed by government surety. In total, the authority has over ₹20,000 crore at its disposal and will begin disbursing compensation once the land acquisition process is completed.
Rejuvenation of Bairamangala Lake
The rejuvenation of Bairamangala Lake, a long-pending demand of villagers, will also be taken up as part of the project to improve public health and the well-being of nearby residents. The rejuvenation, estimated to cost between ₹750 crore and ₹1,000 crore, will also include lakefront development and recreational facilities, undertaken in partnership with BBMP, BWSSB, KSPCB, CNNL, and other agencies, the statement issued on Thursday said.
Not ready to go to jail denotifying land, says DKS
Responding to protests by a group of farmers in Bidadi opposing the Bidadi Integrated Township project on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that “he was not ready to go to jail like former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa by denotifying lands already notified for the township”. However, he assured the farmers of “one-of-the-best compensation packages” and said he would protect their interests.
KHB township in Yelahanka
A ₹2,930 crores integrated high-tech township is proposed to come up near Yelahanka under a joint development of Karnataka Housing Board and private developers. The board is expected to earn a revenue of about ₹1,252 crore from the project that entails multi storied residential complexes, commercial complexes, star hotels and office complexes.
The State Cabinet on Thursday approved providing developed bulk land to land owners under the 50:50 ratio for the joint development of integrated township. 95.13 acres in Chikkajala and Meenukunte villages is sought to be acquired by the Karnataka Housing Board while land owners have gone to court against it. However, land owners owning 43 acres have come forward with a consent seeking compensation under 50:50 ratio.
Published – September 04, 2025 10:39 pm IST
