Bengaluru: In a bid to tackle Bengaluru’s crippling traffic woes, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has written to Wipro founder Azim Premji, requesting the company’s support in opening part of its Bengaluru campus for limited traffic movement.
The request follows a traffic police study, which found that enabling an alternative route through Wipro’s premises towards the Outer Ring Road (ORR) could ease congestion significantly, particularly at the Iblur junction, one of the city’s worst choke points.
Potential Impact
- The study suggests a 30% reduction in congestion on adjoining stretches of ORR.
- Travel times could drop by 38%, saving about 14 minutes per vehicle during peak hours.
- Around 2,000 vehicles daily would benefit, amounting to over 470 vehicle-hours saved during rush hour.
Government’s Appeal
In his letter, Siddaramaiah emphasized that Premji’s cooperation would not only ease bottlenecks but also improve commuter experience and contribute to a more liveable Bengaluru. He urged Wipro’s management to engage with government officials to finalize a feasible plan with adequate security and operational measures.
Broader Context
The 19-km ORR corridor between Silk Board and KR Puram is home to over 500 tech companies, providing nearly one million jobs and generating annual exports exceeding ₹1.5 lakh crore. However, the area has been facing severe criticism from industry leaders, residents, and businesses over worsening road conditions and traffic congestion.
Prominent voices like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Mohandas Pai have highlighted how infrastructure bottlenecks are driving companies to consider relocating operations outside Karnataka. Union minister HD Kumaraswamy recently warned that industries are losing faith in the state due to persistent infrastructure failures.
Proposed Solution
The traffic police have suggested an alternative link from Sarjapur Road to ORR via the Wipro and Ecoworld campuses, along with a new signal at Wipro junction to streamline traffic flow.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah have been conducting regular reviews on pothole repairs and congestion management, given the ORR’s strategic importance as a hub for India’s IT exports.
