KWIN, SWIFT, AI & Quantum City: Are Bengaluru’s satellite towns futuristic hubs or real estate frontiers?

The Karnataka government has unveiled plans for four futuristic cities - KWIN City, SWIFT City, AI City, and Quantum City - designed to ease Bengaluru’s congestion, attract global investments, and create lakhs of jobs.

While the projects promise world-class infrastructure and innovation clusters, they are already mired in challenges over land acquisition and farmer opposition.

This comes against the backdrop of mounting criticism from citizens and industry leaders over Bengaluru’s deteriorating infrastructure, even as neighbouring states step up efforts to attract investors away from Karnataka.

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Pruthvin Reddy, an infrastructure enthusiast, said: “For KWIN City, 80 percent of the land has been acquired, and tenders for roads and drains and the cloverleaf road have been floated. In fact, space has been earmarked for a monorail, but no detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared yet. For SWIFT City, the final notification covers about 500 acres, while the rest is still at the preliminary stage. For AI City, only a primary notification has been issued, and progress is stalled due to farmer protests. Quantum City will come up on government land, so acquisition isn’t an issue.”

He added, “KWIN City has significant potential. With universities, hospitals, and R&D institutes coming up, it will form a well-connected ecosystem for the future.”

However, activists and urban experts warn that the government’s focus on new urban clusters around Bengaluru risks deepening regional inequality. Vinay Sreenivasa, advocate and activist, said: “Seven of the most backward districts in the country are in North Karnataka, but we’re seeing almost no investment there. Meanwhile, Bengaluru is bursting at the seams - traffic, water, everything. These so-called new cities will eventually just become part of Bengaluru, worsening inequality instead of creating balanced growth.”

“Land taken from farmers will fuel speculation and push up land prices, making housing even more unaffordable. Too much development is being concentrated in Bengaluru while the rest of the state struggles. At a time when the government struggles to fund schools and hospitals, investing so heavily around Bengaluru makes no sense. It’s environmentally unsustainable and will only deepen inequality," he added.

Also read: Karnataka's KWIN City to host 5 lakh residents, top foreign educational institutions

KWIN City (Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation City)

Unveiled in September 2024 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KWIN City spans 5,800 acres between Dabaspet and Doddaballapur, about 50 km from the Kempegowda International Airport. Backed by Industries Minister MB Patil, the project aims to host global educational and medical campuses, research centres, and healthcare facilities.

Responding to a Legislative Council query in August 2025, Patil said 5,350 acres are being acquired, with Phase 1 development planned over 1,227 acres. Agreements have been signed primarily with local institutions, including St John’s University, Dayanand Sagar University, KLE University, PES University, Sharda University, RV College, and ISBR.

Also read: Karnataka plans KWIN City as education hub for premium institutions, global universities

Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has floated tenders for environmental clearance, water supply from the Yettinahole canal, and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, drainage, and water treatment facilities. “KWIN City will host world-class universities, hospitals, and research institutions with sustainable urban infrastructure,” said a KIADB official.

Startups, Workspaces, Innovation, Finance, and Technology (SWIFT) City

Announced in December 2024, SWIFT City (Startups, Workspaces, Innovation, Finance, and Technology) will be spread over 1,000 acres in the Sarjapur Industrial Area. Strategically located near NH-44 and NH-48, the project is envisioned as a major startup hub. The city will have 8–10 plug-and-play facilities of 20–25 acres each, along with residential zones, educational institutions, and office spaces. Startups will be offered 5,000-20,000 sq ft plots through sale, lease, or equity-sharing models.

Also read: After KWIN City, Karnataka plans SWIFT City for startups in Sarjapur

“SWIFT City is expected to become a leading hub for AI, data analytics, and fintech,” said MB Patil.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered integrated city 

In September 2025, the government announced India’s first AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered integrated city at Bidadi - Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) - spread across 9,000 acres. Envisioned as Bengaluru’s second central business district, the township aims to position Karnataka as a global AI hub. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said GBIT will follow a ‘work-live-play’ model with 2,000 acres earmarked for AI industries, 70-metre-wide arterial roads, and over 1,100 acres of green spaces. “The project will create lakhs of jobs, with priority for local youth,” he said.

Also read: Karnataka to establish AI-powered integrated city near Bengaluru

Quantum City

On September 2025, Science and Technology Minister NS Boseraju announced the Quantum City (Q-City) over 6.17 acres at Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru. The project will include laboratories, startup incubation facilities, and academia-industry collaboration zones.

“Karnataka aims to capture 20 percent of the global quantum market. Quantum City will attract global talent and investments, placing Bengaluru on the world’s quantum map,” Boseraju said.

Also, read: Karnataka's KWIN City: MoUs signed with foreign universities, aims to become a global healthcare hub

Farmers’ protests

The government faces strong opposition from farmers over AI City in Bidadi and SWIFT City in Sarjapur. Farmers in the Sarjapur–Anekal region have also intensified protests against land acquisition for SWIFT City. Farmers under the Raithara Bhoohitha Rakshana Sangha have been protesting since March at Byramangala, claiming the AI City project threatens their livelihoods.

The farmers’ protests are drawing parallel to the 1,198-day Devanahalli agitation, which forced the government to cancel plans to acquire 1,777 acres for an aerospace park.

Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, addressing Bidadi farmers via video conference, said, “Fertile lands are being looted under the pretext of a township. Not a single inch will be surrendered for the project.”

Also read: Karnataka minister proposes metro connectivity to KWIN City near Bengaluru