Metro or concrete roads? Bengaluru techies caught in dust; why Rs 450-crore roadworks face tech firms’ ire

BENGALURU: A Rs 450-crore road project on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road has run into opposition from the companies that employ lakhs of people along the busy corridor, with the industry body asking authorities to put the work on hold until the Namma Metro Blue Line becomes operational.

The Outer Ring Road Companies’ Association (ORRCA) has objected to the proposed white-topping and other road works on the 17.1km stretch between Central Silk Board and KR Pura, arguing that carrying out the work alongside Metro construction could worsen traffic and disrupt businesses.

Firms reject work-from-home solution

The association has also rejected a suggestion from civic authorities that companies ask employees to work from home while the road work is under way.

The ORR corridor has around 500 companies and 10 lakh employees, making prolonged disruption a major concern for the technology sector.

In a letter to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao, ORRCA expressed “deep disappointment” and “serious concern” over the proposed work.

It said carriageway interventions during Metro construction would put additional pressure on a corridor that is already heavily congested.

August 4 assurance becomes flashpoint

The dispute follows a meeting between GBA and ORRCA representatives on Aug 4.

According to ORRCA, officials had assured the association that the road project would be taken up through a consultative process and that completing the Metro would be the immediate priority.

The civic agency subsequently said the road work would begin in October and suggested that companies consider work-from-home arrangements for employees.

ORRCA said this was contrary to the understanding reached at the meeting.

“This is unacceptable. After much struggle, companies have brought employees back to the office. Will company headquarters accept work from home for thousands (of employees) for months just because of roadworks?” an ORRCA source said.

“Work from home cannot be a substitute for effective infrastructure planning and traffic management,” the letter stated.

‘Right sequence’ sought for Rs 450-crore project

ORRCA said it was not opposed to improving the ORR but wanted the road project to be timed properly.

“Our concern is not with improving ORR; it is with ensuring that a Rs 450-crore investment is implemented in the right sequence. Given ORR’s importance to Bengaluru’s economy, we request your intervention and written confirmation that the proposed works and all related tendering, contracting and mobilization activities will remain on hold pending completion of this process.”

The association said it remained committed to working with the government to address the issue.

Blue Line deadline already worries commuters

The latest dispute comes amid concerns over delays to the Blue Line Metro project.

TOI had highlighted the issue in its Aug 15 report, ‘Blue Line Metro deadline pushed to 2027, ORR commuters worried’.

ORRCA’s latest demand is that authorities prioritise completion of the Metro before taking up major road interventions on the same corridor.

Minister says GBA will address concerns

Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda said he had not received the ORRCA letter.

He said the concerns raised by the industry body would be addressed by GBA chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao.

Source: The Times of India