Government Forms Expert Panel To Review Bidadi Greater Bengaluru Township Project
The Karnataka government has formed a four member committee to examine the proposed Bidadi township project, including land acquisition concerns, public objections, legal issues and costs.
Bidadi township project will undergo a detailed review
Greater Bengaluru project faces land acquisition concerns
Committee must submit its report within 30 days
The Karnataka government has taken a fresh step on the proposed Greater Bengaluru suburban project in Bidadi by setting up a high level committee to examine the project from multiple angles.
The proposed township is being planned as a new growth centre outside the core Bengaluru area, with the broader aim of reducing pressure on the citys roads, housing and existing infrastructure. The project has an estimated cost of around Rs 18,133 crore and covers more than 7,481 acres.
While the project is being viewed as a possible solution to Bengaluru’s growing urban pressure, it has also faced questions over land acquisition, compensation, farmers livelihoods and legal issues. The government has now decided to examine these concerns before taking further steps.
The committee will be headed by retired Chief Justice Narendra. Retired Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and retired Additional Chief Secretary S R Umashankar have been appointed as members. Prasanna Kumar will serve as the member secretary.
The government has asked the panel to examine public objections, the land acquisition process and legal aspects connected with the project. It has been given 30 days to submit a comprehensive report along with its recommendations.
The township is being planned around a work live play model, with housing, employment opportunities and essential infrastructure intended to be developed within the same urban area. The larger objective is to reduce the daily movement of people towards central Bengaluru and ease the citys transport burden.
Land acquisition remains one of the most sensitive issues surrounding the proposal. Final notification has already been issued for 5,461 acres and five guntas covering seven villages in the proposed project area. These include Kenchanakuppe, Vaderahalli, Mandalahalli, K G Gollarapalya, Bannigiri, Allalasandra and Hosur.
The process of providing compensation to landowners is currently underway. At the same time, objections raised over land acquisition are being examined as part of the wider review.
The newly formed committee is expected to hear and assess concerns raised by affected landowners and other sections of the public. Its findings could play an important role in determining how the Bidadi township project moves forward.
The government is now expected to wait for the committees report before deciding on the next course of action for the ambitious suburban development plan.
