Bengaluru, June 26: The political controversy surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project in Bidadi continued on Thursday. Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has written to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for the second time, inviting him to visit Bairamangala village on June 27 to engage directly with the affected residents.
The Bidadi Township project has become a significant issue in Karnataka politics. Kumaraswamy challenged Shivakumar to visit the protest-affected areas and listen to the farmers’ concerns regarding land acquisition and compensation.
Earlier, D.K. Shivakumar had invited Kumaraswamy to his office at Vidhana Soudha on June 26 for discussions with a team of five experts.
Kumaraswamy’s latest letter came after the state government and the Chief Minister did not respond to his previous correspondence. He had previously proposed a joint visit to the project area to hear the grievances of the affected people.
The Union Minister emphasized that discussions on such a large project should include those whose land and livelihoods will be impacted. He reiterated his appeal for the Chief Minister to visit Bairamangala village with officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority and other relevant departments.
In a letter dated June 25, Kumaraswamy pointed out that he had yet to receive a response to his letter sent on June 22.
He wrote, “I would like to draw your attention to my letter sent on June 22, 2026, and my response sent on the same day. I hope you have considered my letter, and I am still awaiting your reply.”
Kumaraswamy announced that he would visit Bairamangala village on June 27 to meet with farmers facing displacement, agricultural laborers, women involved in dairy businesses, small traders, and other local residents.
He stated, “If you come to Bairamangala on the same day with GBA and other officials, we can collectively listen to the issues faced by the affected people and seek practical solutions on-site.”
The Union Minister’s office has sent this letter and his visit schedule to the Chief Minister’s office and has also released it to the media. Kumaraswamy expressed hope that the Chief Minister would positively respond to his invitation and participate in meaningful dialogue with the affected residents.
The Bidadi Township project, officially known as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project, is a major initiative by the Karnataka government. It aims to develop a large satellite township near Bidadi, approximately 30-40 kilometers from Bengaluru, to alleviate the growing pressure on the city’s infrastructure and promote planned urban development.
The estimated cost of this project ranges between ₹18,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore. It is planned to be developed as a ‘work-live-play’ township with residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and healthcare facilities. The government is also presenting it as an AI-based urban development center.
The Karnataka government issued the preliminary notification for land acquisition in March 2025. Subsequently, in May 2026, the state cabinet approved the project. On June 12, 2026, the final notification for the acquisition of approximately 518 acres of land in the first phase was issued, including parts of the villages of Kempyanapalya, Mandalahalli, and Vaderahalli.
Kumaraswamy has urged farmers not to give their agricultural land to the government. Meanwhile, the BJP has also announced support for farmers protesting against land acquisition for this project.
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