Traffic congestion in Bengaluru's tech corridor costs $15 bn annually: Outer Ring Road Companies Association

A recent report submitted by ORRCA to the Karnataka government stated that the average peak hour speed on Outer Ring Road is 4.4kmph and the congestion queue extends to more than 3 km during peak hours

Traffic congestion on Bengaluru's tech corridor (17 Km KR Puram and Central Silk Board) costs $15 billion per year, according to the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA), which represents the ORR's technology parks, IT/ITeS companies, and software development and research centres.

A recent report submitted by ORRCA to the Karnataka government as part of 'Brand Bengaluru' campaign, a copy of which is with Moneycontrol, stated that the average peak hour speed on Outer Ring Road is 4.4Kmph, and the congestion queue extends to more than 3 km during peak hours.

The report said that 9.5 lakh people are employed in more than 500 companies in the tech corridor and 36 percent of Bengaluru's IT revenue, which totals $32.68 billion per year, comes from the KR Puram to Silk Board section of ORR. ($1 billion is approximately Rs 8,300 crore)

"Prolonged commutes and stress are impacting employee productivity and well-being, resulting in economic loss," it reads.

On September 27 evening, the Bengaluru tech corridor's Outer Ring Road witnessed an unusually massive traffic congestion. Many tech professionals and other office-goers reported being stuck in traffic for nearly four hours, and even some school buses were caught in the gridlock on ORR.

Also read: Massive traffic jam on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road; traffic police issues advisory to IT companies

Manas Das, president of ORRCA, told Moneycontrol that they calculated the financial loss resulting from the productivity loss of employees working in the tech corridor.

The report said heavy congestion on ORR leads to extended travel times, delays, and increased stress levels for employees. Frequent breakdowns, accidents, flooding, and potholes worsen traffic issues and disrupt smooth commuting.

A report submitted by the ORRCA to the traffic police says that daily 6.4 lakh people are using 3.3 lakh vehicles between Central Silk Board and KR Puram.

ALSO READ: Traffic cops propose carpooling, shuttle buses to ease congestion on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road

Another issue is the lack of last-mile connectivity. "Inefficient last-mile options make it challenging for employees to reach their final destinations from ORR."

Inadequate public transportation is also a problem. "Insufficient public transit causes overcrowding and delays for employees relying on it.", it said.

The report also points to limited alternative routes on ORR. "The lack of an arterial road network and alternate routes to bypass congestion or infrastructure problems on the primary ORR route."

Inconsistent traffic management and lack of pedestrian infrastructure are among the other concerns. "Ongoing metro construction activity, poor traffic management, and enforcement contribute to chaotic conditions along ORR... Inadequate facilities make it unsafe and inconvenient for employees using non-motorized modes of transport," it said. ORRCA also identified 36 pain points in and around ORR leading to traffic snarls.

In 2022, ORRCA proposed that this 17km stretch be declared a separate municipal zone. "The new separate municipal zone should have a clear 5-year plan to transform the corridor into a world-class technology corridor. Development of ORR has been neglected over the last several years, with no clear roadmap and execution strategy to revive the broken infrastructure on this stretch", it said.

ORRCA urges state government to implement PPP model on ORR

ORRCA has urged the Karnataka government to implement a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on Outer Ring Road in traffic management, road & civic amenities maintenance, pedestrian facilities, revenue generation and risk sharing, and public engagement

Manas Das, president of ORRCA, told Moneycontrol, "We have proposed a framework and recommendations for the immediate, near-term, and long-term."

Traffic management

• Implement advanced traffic monitoring systems and intelligent traffic signals for optimised traffic flow.
• Collaborate with private partners to deploy smart technologies and dynamic traffic management solutions.
• Develop a comprehensive traffic management plan, including dedicated lanes for public transportation and efficient parking management systems.

• Establish a PPP arrangement for routine maintenance, repairs of civic amenities (sewage, drains, utility cables, power network), and periodic resurfacing of roads.
• Conduct regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and prompt repairs to ensure road safety.
• Employ sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in maintenance activities.

• Upgrade and expand pedestrian facilities, including sidewalks, footpaths, and pedestrian crossings.
• Introduce smart technologies for pedestrian safety, such as smart crosswalks and pedestrian-friendly signal timings.
• Enhance accessibility features for differently-abled individuals and improve the overall pedestrian experience.

• Identify revenue generation mechanisms, such as advertising, and value-added services.
• Define risk allocation between the public and private sectors, considering factors like traffic fluctuation and regulatory changes.

Implement feedback channels and grievance mechanisms for public involvement.

Other proposals

ORRCA has proposed improvements for ORR arterial and sub-arterial roads. It also urged Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited to adhere to the proposed Metro Completion Timeline from KR Puram to Silk Board (June 2025).  It also suggested immediate-term proposals for effective traffic management during metro construction.