Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road Companies Association flags poor condition of tech corridor

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar visited the ORR stretch on October 7, 2023, and instructed officials to come up with solutions for traffic and other issues within 100 days. However, there has been no visible improvement on the ground.

On Thursday evening, for instance, waterlogging was reported at multiple locations on ORR between Silk Board and Karthik Nagar, leading to slow-moving traffic on both sides of the road. Panathur underpass was also inundated.

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"The companies, employees, and commuters along the ORR are struggling daily due to poor road conditions, lack of public transportation options, inadequate footpaths, waterlogging issues, and other infrastructure challenges. These issues are well-known to authorities, elected representatives, companies, builders, associations, employees, and the general public. Recently, employees have increasingly raised these concerns with association members and company representatives. We find it challenging to address these questions due to the lack of visible improvements or actionable progress," a stakeholder said.

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"We have held several meetings and discussions regarding these issues, but without tangible action…If we ask member companies to participate in road clean-up drives, we are likely to face resistance from employees," the stakeholder added.

Urban mobility activist RK Misra said: "ORR/Whitefield IT corridor is the economic growth engine of the state, directly employing 1.3 million highly skilled IT professionals and generating $55 billion in revenue. In any other state or city, this area would be a showcase, but unfortunately, ORR/Whitefield is the worst possible area to live and work due to its pathetic infrastructure and perpetual traffic congestion."

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"Despite numerous meetings, including with the Bengaluru in-charge minister and senior officials, nothing has changed. Companies and employees are suffering and frustrated. Their expectations are very basic—pothole-free roads and walkable footpaths.  The government and BBMP need to focus on immediate relief by completing long-delayed projects while working on long gestation projects" Misra added.

Also, read: Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road Companies Association raises concern over water shortage