Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reached out to Wipro founder-chairman Azim Premji, requesting the IT major’s cooperation in easing congestion along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), particularly near the Iblur junction — one of the city’s most notorious bottlenecks.

In a letter dated September 19, CM Siddaramaiah highlighted the pressing mobility challenges Bengaluru faces, especially during peak traffic hours, stating that these problems are impacting the "mobility, productivity, and the quality of urban life" in the city.

“I extend my warm greetings to you and sincerely appreciate Wipro's continued contribution to the progress of Karnataka's IT ecosystem and overall socio-economic development,” Siddaramaiah wrote. He emphasized that the congestion at Iblur junction was among the worst and warranted immediate attention.

Exploring a potential solution, the CM proposed the idea of allowing “limited vehicular movement through the Wipro campus”, subject to necessary agreements and security protocols. He cited preliminary assessments by traffic and urban mobility experts, noting that the move could reduce congestion on the adjoining ORR stretches by nearly 30% during peak hours.

“Your support in this matter will go a long way in easing traffic bottlenecks, enhancing commuter experience, and contributing to a more efficient and livable Bengaluru,” the letter stated. Siddaramaiah also requested that Wipro’s team coordinate with government officials to develop a mutually acceptable plan at the earliest.

Meanwhile, amid mounting criticism over Bengaluru's deteriorating road conditions, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed concerns around the city's potholes. Responding to industrialists' complaints and public criticism, he remarked that the issue is being “blown out of proportion,” adding that “even the road leading up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in Delhi has potholes.”

Adding to the growing concerns over infrastructure in Bengaluru’s tech corridor, online trucking platform BlackBuck recently announced its decision to shift its office out of Bellandur, located along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), after nearly a decade in the area. The move, revealed last week by Co-Founder and CEO Rajesh Yabaji, underscores mounting frustrations among businesses over worsening traffic congestion and deteriorating road conditions in one of the city’s most critical IT zones.