Bengaluru:  Karnataka is set to launch India’s first and largest artificial intelligence-powered township, the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), in Bidadi, around 30 km from Bengaluru. The project, announced by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, will transform nearly 9,000 acres into a modern, work-live-play city designed to attract global investments and promote AI-driven industries.

The township is strategically planned to serve as Karnataka’s second central business district, with over 2,000 acres allocated to AI-based industries and ancillary units. A 300-meter-wide business corridor will connect major highways including STRR, NH-209, NH-275, and NICE Road, ensuring seamless connectivity for industries and residents alike.

GBIT aims to create lakhs of jobs in IT, AI, and related services. A ‘local-first’ employment policy will be implemented, and dedicated skilling centers will prepare Karnataka’s youth for careers in AI and technology sectors.

Urban planning for GBIT emphasizes sustainability, with more than 1,100 acres dedicated to parks and open spaces. The township will promote walkability through ring roads, expressways, and walk-to-work planning to alleviate Bengaluru’s traffic congestion.

The project was first proposed in 2006 during H.D. Kumaraswamy’s tenure but faced delays due to developer exits and policy hurdles. Momentum resumed in 2023 with the upgrade of the Greater Bengaluru Bidadi Smart City Planning Authority to the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority. The township is expected to be completed within three years.

GBIT is envisioned as a model for the future of urban living in India, combining technology, sustainable development, and economic growth to position Bengaluru as a global AI hub.