Articles by Justin Andrews Jeganathan

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) have released proposed Road Circulation Plans, inviting public suggestions and objections till December 11th, before the final approval. This is a necessary step to address the city’s mobility issues. But before framing the suggestions and objections, citizens need to understand what is meant by a circulation plan and how and why it is prepared. This is critical for Bengaluru, as endless urban expansion without an updated master plan has strained the city’s mobility and transportation systems.  Bengaluru residents can send their feedback to the Office of the Chief Town Planner,…

The proposed GBIT project has generated considerable debate regarding its potential ecological impacts on the Bengaluru–Ramanagara landscape. Two overarching concerns include the loss of highly productive agricultural land, and the transformation of the region's existing natural ecosystems. In particular, the large-scale loss of tree cover and waterbodies has attracted significant public attention. However, another key ecological dimension is wildlife habitats and animal mobility. Unlike agricultural fields or trees, wildlife movement is dynamic and spans diverse landscapes. The area between Bengaluru and Ramanagara is marked by recurring human–wildlife conflicts, particularly human–elephant. Understanding these elephant movements is crucial  for addressing broader ecological…

The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) in Bidadi, first notified in March 2025, received its final notification in June 2026 under the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act (KUDA Act), 1987. The project is branded as India's first and largest AI City, featuring an AI-integrated township. The project will be implemented by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) under the same act. Three villages, Kempainapalya, Vaderahalli, and Mandalahalli are notified in the Gazette under Section 19(1) of the KUDA Act for the implementation of a development scheme, deemed as public purpose. The development scheme is spread over a total of 7,481…