State Cabinet clears ₹12,150 cr. Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township in Ramanagara
The Karnataka State Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) to develop the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township in Ramanagara district. Designed as a self-sufficient and eco-friendly urban space, the township will be built on the Work-Live-Play concept, integrating residential, economic, and recreational zones for balanced development.
Spanning 8,943 acres across 10 villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks, the project will be overseen by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) under the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act, 1987. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has already acquired initial land for the township, which is estimated to cost ₹12,150 crore.
Strategically positioned near major industrial hubs such as Harohalli and Bidadi Industrial Estates, the township will be well-connected to key transport routes, including the Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway (NH-275), Bengaluru-Dindigul highway (NH-209), and NICE Road. Metro connectivity through Mysuru Road and Kanakapura Road is also planned, alongside a proposed 60-metre-wide road linking NH-275 and NH-209 to ensure seamless transit.
With a five-year completion timeline, financial incentives such as stamp duty exemptions and registration fee discounts are proposed to attract investors and landowners. While no financial support is expected from the State Budget, regulatory approvals and exemptions similar to those granted for the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Layout are anticipated to accelerate relocation from central Bengaluru and encourage investment in the new township.
Development will begin with the residential sector, where landowners will be compensated with plots. The project aims to integrate local village settlements, preserving traditional communities while promoting social and economic inclusivity. Essential infrastructure, including a stable water supply from the Cauvery River and a robust electricity network, will further enhance the township’s viability.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Hyderabad retired professor in coma left without pension; family struggles to pay Rs 25 lakh bills
Hyderabad: A 64-year-old retired professor from Osmania University, Mohammad Ansari, is battling for life in a coma while his family struggles to meet mounting medical expenses due to an unresolved pension dispute.
According to The Times of India, Prof. Ansari, a former linguistics teacher, fell critically ill about 10 days ago due to kidney and lung complications and slipped into a coma.
His family has already spent nearly Rs 25 lakh on treatment, with daily hospital expenses ranging between Rs 30,000 and 40,000.
"We have spent about Rs 25 lakh so far. The hospital is charging between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 daily. We don't have any money left. We can only afford a rehabilitation centre," said Fayyaz Ansari, brother of the retired Osmania University professor. He said that his brother had been running from pillar to post since 1996 to clear the anomalies in his service, but failed in his efforts.
Though he began working with the university in 1997 as part-time faculty and later became regular staff, the university reportedly agreed to consider his pension eligibility only from 2003, which he contested.
The family claims that despite court directions and intervention by an Assembly committee, the university did not recognise his service from 1996 for pension benefits.
"Despite selection, he was not given joining orders. He was forced to work as a part-time faculty. In 2003, after approaching the minority commission, the HC and the assembly, he finally got orders to join as full-time faculty," Fayyaz said.
Incidentally, even the LIC-linked pension, which was offered to those not eligible under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), was denied to him despite premiums being deducted for close to 15 years on the grounds that he already has OPS. The total amount paid towards the pension was returned in 2018.
Students and well-wishers have begun crowdfunding to support his treatment. Members of the Osmania University Students’ Joint Action (JAC) Committee urged authorities to intervene and release his pending benefits or arrange financial assistance.
The issue was also raised in the Assembly by CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao.
However, university officials maintain that pension from 1996 cannot be granted. Registrar G. Naresh Reddy said, "He was not on the varsity rolls then. How can it be considered? In fact, this issue was placed before the executive council and the govt multiple times and it was rejected."
He said that when it comes to the LIC-linked pension, it is the govt that has kept it in abeyance and that, along with Ansari, 10 other faculty members, who joined between 2001 and 2004, were waiting for it to be resolved.
