The Bidadi township
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The 8,943-acre Bidadi Integrated Township project, delayed for almost two decades, has received a major push with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) offering a loan of up to Rs 21,000 crore.
The funding is expected to fast-track key components such as land acquisition and civil works.
HUDCO had earlier agreed to fully finance the 74-km Bengaluru Business Corridor (Peripheral Ring Road) with a Rs 27,000-crore loan at 9 per cent interest.
P Rajendra Cholan, Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), stated that the authority would draw from the loan only as needed.
"Land acquisition will follow the Land Acquisition Act, 2014, with an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore. However, this may change if most landowners opt for developed sites instead of cash. We have factored in different scenarios," he said.
Last November, the government established GBDA to develop the Bidadi Township and regulate growth in surrounding areas.
In a significant move, the authority recently issued a preliminary notification to acquire 7,291 acres of private land, affecting 10,450 landowners. Further, it plans to acquire 2,000 acres of government land by compensating departments with 50% of the guidance value.
"In the past nine months, we have completed groundwork, including drone surveys and identification of landowners and trees," Cholan said. "Our goal is to complete land acquisition within a year while simultaneously preparing a master plan for the entire 30,000-acre area to ensure planned growth and connectivity."
Located about 25 km from Bengaluru, the township will be well-connected by five major roads. It will have access to Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, and NICE Road, while the proposed Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) and Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) will further enhance connectivity.
Notably, two of the three shortlisted sites for Bengaluru’s second international airport are in close proximity to the township.
The blueprint
The township is designed to promote work-live-play concept.
An international cricket stadium is also proposed as it encourages companies to move towards the city’s periphery.