Bengaluru's tech corridor, Outer Ring Road (ORR), experienced unusual traffic congestion on September 27, which prompted the traffic police to issue an advisory to IT companies to delay the logouts.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru Traffic) MN Anucheth and his team were on ORR clearing the traffic and identified five reasons for the unusual jam, leaving commuters, including tech professionals and students, stuck on the road for nearly four hours.
According to traffic police, congestion alerts on a typical Wednesday between Silk Board and Tin Factory on Outer Ring Road are at 197, but on September 27, it was a staggering 1,069.
Here are the observations by the traffic police:
* Double volume of vehicles: Traffic on September 27 was twice the normal volume. Normally, Wednesdays see a vehicle count of 1.5-2 lakh, but it reached 3.59 lakh by 7:30pm on September 27. This surge was a result of the Bengaluru bandh that took place on September 26, as many employees reported to their offices and exited around the same time on September 27.
* Long weekend: An upcoming extended weekend has many heading out of the city. September 28 is a holiday for Eid e Milad, Pro-kannada organisations have called for the Karnataka bandh on September 29, followed by Saturday and Sunday, and October 2, Monday, marks Gandhi Jayanti.
* Rain-induced waterlogging: Persistent rainfall led to waterlogging on several interior roads, which remained uncleared and worsened traffic congestion.
* Potholes due to rain: The heavy rains also caused the formation of multiple potholes, affecting the smooth flow of traffic.
* Vehicle breakdowns: Between 3:30 pm and 5 pm, six vehicle breakdowns took place on ORR, already narrowed due to ongoing Metro construction. These breakdowns further increased the traffic congestion.
Also read, Massive traffic jam on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road; traffic police issues advisory to IT companies
According to a report submitted by the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) to the traffic police, 6.4 lakh employees now commute daily between Silk Board and KR Puram, using 3.3 lakh vehicles, including personal cars and cabs.
Traffic cops propose carpooling, shuttle buses to ease congestion on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road
The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has approved the commencement of passenger operations on the 2.1 km KR Pura - Byappanahalli section of the Purple Line on September 29. However, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is yet to take a decision on opening of KR Pura - Byappanahalli section and plans to inaugurate it along with the Kengeri-Challaghatta section.
ORRCA has requested companies and tech parks to provide their requirements for BMTC feeder/dedicated bus services for their employees.
"There is an upcoming plan by BMRCL to extend the purple line from Byappanahalli Metro to KR Puram Metro in early October 2023. Once this connection is established, KR Puram Metro will be a vital link for ORR commuters, making public transportation even more accessible. We are exploring various models to provide dedicated bus services to tech parks and IT companies on ORR, and your input is crucial in shaping this initiative," said ORRCA Management Committee in a statement.
In August 2023, Bengaluru city police suggested various traffic-reduction measures to companies in the city's tech corridor. These measures include staggered office timings, carpooling options, and dedicated buses for employees. This initiative follows the footsteps of Hyderabad, which implemented similar measures to tackle gridlocked traffic.
Stagger office timings, promote carpooling and shuttle buses: Bengaluru police tell tech firms
The Outer Ring Road, constructed in phases from 1996 to 2002, covers a 60-kilometre stretch encircling a significant portion of Bengaluru. Originally intended to connect major highways and facilitate faster travel while alleviating congestion, it was built by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to divert heavy vehicles, including trucks, away from the city centre.
However, the proliferation of tech parks and residential complexes on both sides of the ORR has led to challenges. The lack of parallel roads and the road's design make the tech corridor, particularly the southeast Bengaluru section near IT offices in Whitefield and Sarjapur Road, susceptible to disruptions. Even a single truck breakdown, a fallen tree, or waterlogging in a small section can bring the entire tech corridor to a standstill.
Areas along the ORR, such as Marthahalli, Bellandur, Central Silk Board, KR Puram, Hebbal, and Goraguntepalya consistently grapple with severe traffic congestion.
Also read: Why Bengaluru's tech corridor, Outer Ring Road, needs an urgent fix
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