Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has formally requested Wipro founder Azim Premji to consider opening a specific road within the company’s campus for public use. The aim is to alleviate severe traffic congestion, particularly at the Iblur junction on the Outer Ring Road (ORR).
This appeal comes amidst growing public frustration and scrutiny over Bengaluru’s inadequate infrastructure and the notorious traffic jams plaguing the ORR. Reports even suggest that at least one logistics technology firm has relocated due to these persistent traffic issues.
A comprehensive traffic simulation study conducted by the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) strongly supports this proposal. Their findings indicate that opening the Wipro–Ecoworld campus link road to general traffic could slash travel times along the critical Sarjapur Road–Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor by an impressive 38%.
In his letter, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “I am keen to explore the potential for allowing restricted vehicular movement through the Wipro campus, provided that mutually acceptable terms and essential security protocols are established. Initial evaluations by traffic and urban planning specialists suggest that this initiative could ease congestion on nearby sections of the ORR by approximately 30%, especially during peak commute periods.”
He emphasized that Wipro’s cooperation in this endeavor would significantly help in untangling traffic bottlenecks, enhancing the daily commute for thousands, and fostering a more efficient and pleasant Bengaluru. The Chief Minister concluded by expressing his hope that Wipro’s team would promptly collaborate with government officials to finalize a workable plan.
The Traffic Crisis
The BTP report starkly illustrates the severe gridlock at Iblur junction, which has notoriously become a critical bottleneck for countless vehicles traversing between Sarjapur Road and the ORR.
Presently, the majority of traffic originating from Sarjapur Road merges onto the ORR via Iblur, leading to extensive queues, frustrating spillbacks, and significant travel delays stretching all the way to the Wipro junction. The analysis indicates that rerouting some of this traffic through the private Wipro–Ecoworld campus road could dramatically enhance overall network flow.
A Promising Solution
The proposed solution involves redirecting approximately 30% of vehicles currently making a right turn at Iblur. These vehicles would instead use the Wipro campus link road, heading towards Devarabeesanahalli junction. This strategic intervention, along with the installation of a new traffic signal at the Wipro junction, underwent rigorous testing via traffic simulation.
The simulation results were highly encouraging: average travel time within the corridor plummeted from 35 minutes to just 21.5 minutes, marking an impressive 38.5% reduction. Critically, queue lengths at congested points saw substantial decreases, and average delays improved from 15 minutes to 11.7 minutes. Even average travel speed experienced a slight but positive bump, increasing from 23.18 kmph to 23.95 kmph.
The study projected that roughly 2,000 vehicles would directly benefit from this change, with each commuter saving approximately 14 minutes. This translates to a remarkable 470 vehicle-hours saved during each peak traffic period. Furthermore, indirect advantages would include a smoother flow of traffic at the Iblur junction and a noticeable decrease in congestion along Sarjapur Road.
Under the existing conditions (the base case), vehicles experienced an average delay of 15 minutes and maintained an average speed of 23.18 kmph, resulting in a total travel time of 35 minutes.
In the proposed Wipro Link Road scenario, these figures dramatically improved: average delay dropped to 11.7 minutes, and average speed saw a slight rise to 23.95 kmph. The total travel time was significantly reduced to 21.5 minutes, showcasing a substantial 38.5% improvement over current conditions.
This detailed study, a collaborative effort between Arcadis and the BTP, meticulously analyzed traffic patterns around several prominent technology hubs, including Wipro, RMZ Ecoworld, RMZ Ecospace, Embassy TechVillage, and Prestige Tech Park.
Anticipated Impact and Support
Gopal M. Byakod, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Traffic, South, revealed that the Wipro link road was actually operational some years ago before being closed. He emphasized that its reopening would undeniably result in a substantial decrease in congestion along the problematic ORR stretch.
The Greater Bengaluru IT Companies and Industries Association (GBITCIA) has warmly received the Chief Minister’s initiative, praising it as a “proactive proposal” to address critical urban challenges.
GBITCIA highlighted its consistent advocacy for multifaceted traffic management strategies. The association declared, “Our organization is fully prepared to collaborate with government bodies, corporate partners, and local community groups to ensure the successful implementation of the Wipro campus proposal. This crucial step, combined with extensive infrastructure enhancements, will play a vital role in rebuilding global confidence in Bengaluru’s IT corridor and solidifying its standing as India’s premier technology hub.”