The Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) issued a preliminary notification on March 12, affecting approximately 10,450 landowners.

Bengaluru: In an effort to decongest Bengaluru, the state government has initiated the process of acquiring 8,943 acres of land for developing the Bidadi township.

The Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) issued a preliminary notification on March 12, affecting approximately 10,450 landowners. The notification prohibits landowners from engaging in new property transactions or altering land use during the acquisition process, which is expected to take six months to a year.

The proposed satellite township, located about 25 km from Bengaluru, will be developed across 10 villages, including Allalasandra, Kanchugaranahalli Kaval, Gollarapalya, Kempaiahnapalya, Bannigere, Byaramangala, Mandlahalli, Hosur, and Vaderahalli.

Officials from GBDA confirmed that land acquisition would follow the model used by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in its residential layout projects.

"Landowners will receive 40% of the developed land in return for surrendering their land rights," explained P Rajendra Cholan, GBDA Commissioner.

This translates to 9,583 square feet of developed land per acre acquired. "This is the maximum we can offer, as 50% of the acquired land will be used for infrastructure, including open spaces," Cholan added.

The 8,943-acre township will be developed in phases.

"The government has approved the development scheme for the township. We are now moving forward with land acquisition by issuing the first notification. We are also initiating the process of securing funds for the project," said Cholan, who also heads the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA).

Besides the township, the GBDA plans to acquire 2,742 acres to construct five Economic Corridors (ECs). These corridors will connect the Bidadi satellite city to various locations, including Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, NICE Road, and the upcoming Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR).

Retired bureaucrats acknowledge the importance of such projects in decongesting Bengaluru but stress the need for timely compensation to landowners. "In many cases, notifications are issued, but delays in compensating landowners can be excruciating," one of them noted.