Bengaluru, Aug 8 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Saturday constituted a committee headed by Justice Guhanathan Narendar to comprehensively examine differing views on the proposed Bidadi Township or Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburb project, and submit its report within 30 days.
The committee includes retired Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, retired Additional Chief Secretary S R Umashankar and retired IAS officer Prasanna Kumar as members, a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
“The chief minister has already clarified that land will not be acquired forcibly from anyone for the project,” it said.
The committee will examine the project from the perspectives of legality, humanitarian considerations and comprehensive development before making its recommendations, the CMO said.
A decision was taken in 2006 to develop an integrated suburb near Bidadi. With demand for investment around Bengaluru increasing, the government has now decided to revive the stalled project as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburb project, aiming to minimise displacement of residential areas and provide better value to landowners.
The government will consider suggestions and opinions from the public to ensure the project is implemented in a people-friendly manner, the CMO said.
“The government’s objective is to further improve the project by respecting the aspirations of the people and taking all stakeholders into confidence,” it said, adding that the committee was constituted in this context.
The decision comes ahead of the Legislative Session starting from August 13.
Opposition BJP and JD(S) have already said that they would raise this issue vehemently in the Karnataka Assembly to corner the government.
The JD(S) has announced taking out a foot march to Bidadi and the most probable date is August 14.
There is already protests happening by various groups against the AI Powered Integrated Township project in Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, adjacent to the capital city.
Despite opposition from sections of farmers and villagers, a final notification was recently issued for the acquisition of 499 acres across three villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks for the township, one of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s ambitious projects, projected as India’s “first AI-powered integrated township”.
The project is expected to cover a total of 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region, sources said. PTI GMS KH
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