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Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), home to several IT hubs including Electronic City and Whitefield, is notorious for traffic congestion, particularly at the Iblur junction. With thousands commuting daily to major IT offices, travel delays have become a significant issue, affecting productivity, mobility, and the overall quality of urban life.

CM’s Proposal to Wipro

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Wipro Founder-Chairman Azim Premjirequesting permission to allow limited vehicular movement through the company’s expansive campus. According to preliminary assessments by traffic and urban mobility experts, this move could reduce congestion on adjoining stretches by nearly 30%especially during peak office hours.

Enhancing Urban Mobility

In his letter, Siddaramaiah acknowledged Wipro’s contributions to Karnataka’s IT ecosystem and socio-economic development. He emphasised that allowing controlled access through the campus could significantly ease traffic bottlenecks, improve commuter experience, and make Bengaluru a more livable city. The CM also highlighted that such collaboration would require mutually agreed terms and strict adherence to security considerations.

Addressing Peak Hour Challenges

Bengaluru’s traffic woes are concentrated in areas with the highest concentration of IT companies. While Wipro’s campus currently restricts access to employees, the CM suggested that opening the passage temporarily during peak hours could offer relief to the thousands of commuters navigating the ORR corridor daily.

Next Steps

The Chief Minister has urged Wipro’s team to engage with state officials to develop a mutually acceptable plan. If implemented, the initiative could serve as a model for other corporate campuses along Bengaluru’s major traffic corridors, showing how private sector collaboration can enhance citywide mobility.

A Collaborative Approach for Bengaluru

While infrastructure projects and traffic reforms take time, leveraging private campuses like Wipro’s provides a practical interim solution. Experts believe that coordinated efforts between government and IT companies can play a crucial role in addressing Bengaluru’s chronic traffic challenges, particularly in high-density commercial zones.

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