BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Thursday announced the Greater Bengaluru Innovation & Tech City (GBIT), which is touted to be India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) city, in Bidadi, about 30km from Bengaluru.
The project, which will be spread across 2,000 acres, will serve as South Bengaluru’s Central Business District, and also decongest Bengaluru.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who unveiled the GBIT logo at a press conference in Bengaluru South district (Ramanagara), said GBIT will be part of the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) -- “India’s first and largest integrated township” -- spread across 9,000 acres.
The proposed city is designed on the Work-Live-Play model, will use artificial intelligence, digital twin technology and smart sensors to manage services like traffic, waste, energy and water. It promises to be zero-carbon, zero-waste and zero-traffic, with clean energy and advanced public transport systems.
With direct links to highways, Metro Phase-3 and Suburban Rail, GBIT is being projected as a city of the future that could ease Bengaluru’s growing congestion, while offering a sustainable, technology-driven lifestyle. “This city is expected to create lakhs of new jobs in AI, IT, startups and service sectors, and a ‘local first employment policy’ will be formulated to give priority to local youth,” the DCM explained. Skill centres will be set up by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority to prepare locals for AI-driven and future-ready industries. This new city will shift a large part of business and employment activities outside Bengaluru,” he said.
FARMERS STAGE PROTEST
Hundreds of farmers held a protest at the Deputy Commissioner’s office over land acquisition for the proposed township, when DCM Shivakumar was here to unveil the GBIT logo.
Addressing them, the DCM said it has been decided to provide compensation of Rs 1.50 crore to Rs 2.50 crore per acre, based on the criteria of the respective land, and also spoke about giving land to farmers in 50:50 ratio. “Farmers who share their land without getting any money will be given developed land in the ratio of 50:50,” he said.
Annual grant for farmers
In addition, it has been decided to provide an annual grant per acre for the livelihood of farmers, from the date of final notification till compensation or developed land is given. Income tax exemption and stamp duty exemption will also be given, the DCM added.
“In all, 8,493 acres in nine villages are being utilized of which 750 acres are government-owned and 6,731 acres are privately owned areas. The remaining 1,012 acres are water source areas. For this project, Rs 2,950 crore will be collected through BMRDA and Rs 17,500 crore through financial institutions, with the guarantee of the Karnataka government. The land acquisition process and compensation distribution will be started after financial resources of Rs 20,000 crore are completed,” he explained.
SPECS OF AI CITY
950 acres for lakes, water bodies, green buffers
Zero-carbon, zero-waste, zero-traffic goal
AI-powered monitoring of air, water, energy use
Olympic-standard training, international cricket stadium