The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) is set to develop three integrated townships on the outskirts of Bengaluru, reviving a proposal that has been in the works for nearly two decades.
The townships are planned for the suburbs of Bidadi, Solur near Magadi, and Nandagudi in Hoskote. According to officials, the Bidadi township will be the first to be developed, serving as a pilot project.
“We are focusing on these three areas because they are connected to the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR),” explained Rajendra P Cholan, Metropolitan Commissioner of BMRDA.
“Bidadi will be the first to be developed. It is strategically located, surrounded by four highways. Our plan is to create an integrated township with a mix of commercial establishments like logistics parks and data centres, alongside high-rise residential units,” he added.
Nandagudi was selected due to its location along the under-construction Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, while Solur was chosen for its proximity to Nelamangala and Bengaluru, Cholan added.
As part of the preparatory work, BMRDA has reached out to Namma Metro to assess the feasibility of extending metro connectivity to these regions. In addition, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has been asked to develop infrastructure for supplying potable water to these areas.
The BMRDA has several tasks ahead as it moves forward with the project. The authority is seeking state government approval to notify a large parcel of land for acquisition. Additionally, it is gearing up to prepare a detailed project report (DPR), while the Bengaluru Urban district administration will conduct a social impact assessment study.
Cholan noted that the government has already deployed three land acquisition officers to begin groundwork for the project. “We will also establish an engineering wing, and the file is currently awaiting approval from the finance department,” he said. “Additionally, we are in discussions with several financial institutions to secure loans for the project.”
The three regions were part of a broader proposal made in 2006, during H D Kumaraswamy’s tenure as chief minister, to develop five suburbs, including Ramanagara and Sathanur, into integrated townships. However, the project stalled following a change in government.
In November of last year, the Siddaramaiah-led government established the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), which has the mandate to carry out development work in the BMRDA region.
The region includes 12 local planning authorities spread over 8,000 square kilometres. Similar to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the GBDA is expected to handle land acquisition and engineering work for the proposed townships, as per Deccan Herald‘s report.