Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Wipro Founder Azim Premji seeking the company’s support to reduce traffic congestion on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR). He praised Wipro’s role in developing Karnataka’s IT ecosystem and socio-economic growth.
In his letter, Siddaramaiah highlighted severe traffic jams at the Iblur junction during peak hours, which affect mobility, productivity, and the quality of urban life. He suggested allowing limited vehicular movement through the Wipro campus, under agreed terms and security measures. Preliminary assessments indicate this could cut congestion on nearby stretches of the ORR by almost 30% during office hours.
The proposal quickly went viral on social media, sparking debates. Many netizens questioned the idea of using private property to solve public traffic issues. Some criticized poor urban planning and wondered if the government would consider opening roads in other key areas, like in front of Vidhana Soudha. Others pointed out the measure does not appear temporary.
Experts note that while collaboration with private entities could help temporarily, long-term solutions require better infrastructure and urban planning.
