BlackBuck CEO’s post on Bengaluru’s crumbling Outer Ring Road jolts Karnataka into action

Sept 16 (10:31 am): BlackBuck CEO Rajesh Yabaji, in a post on X, flagged worsening road conditions along ORR (Bellandur), citing over 1-1/2 hour commute through pothole-filled roads. He added that the company will move out as the situation is unlikely to improve in the next five years.

Sept 16 (2:42 pm): Moneycontrol reported 'BlackBuck to move out of Bengaluru’s ORR, co-founder Rajesh Yabaji blames bad roads, traffic,' triggering a social media outrage. Yabaji's tweet came after a school bus overturned on Balagere-Panathur Road due to potholes and waterlogging.

Sept 16 (7:09 pm): Former Infosys TV Mohandas Pai was among the first to react. Quoting Moneycontrol article, he wrote: "Big, big failure of governance in Bengaluru. Minister ⁦@DKShivakumar, please see, companies are moving out of ORR. Situation beyond hope. Please intervene." Following this, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw reposted Pai’s post, saying, "This is serious. Emergency measures needed to fix these issues."

Also Read: Why Bengaluru Metro's Blue Line needs to be fast-tracked to ease tech capital’s traffic woes

Sept 17 (11:36 am): Andhra IT Minister Nara Lokesh responded by quote tweeting Yabaji’s post and invited him to Vizag, highlighting the city’s clean, safe environment and top-class infrastructure.

Sept 18 (12:14 pm): Union Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy slammed the Karnataka government over potholes, garbage, and poor governance, calling it a 'severe blow to the city’s reputation' and urged industries not to leave, promising that citizens will work together to 'rebuild' Bengaluru.

Also Read:  'Why not move to Vizag,' Nara Lokesh asks BlackBuck CEO leaving Bengaluru's ORR

Sept 18: Karnataka deputy CM Shivakumar said the government "will not be blackmailed. They can threaten or try to blackmail if they want; we are least bothered," remarks that have triggered further outrage among industrialists and citizens.

Sept 18: Facing criticism over poor infrastructure, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development Department) Tushar Giri Nath, Greater Bengaluru Authority chief M Maheshwar Rao and other senior officials inspected ORR stretch from Central Silk Board to Hebbal and ordered immediate measures, including pothole repairs, resurfacing, junction and drainage upgrades, and white topping. They also planned 20 ramps to reduce congestion by 30-40 percent.

Also Read: BlackBuck ORR exit row: DK Shivakumar says govt won’t be blackmailed; officials inspect tech corridor, claim congestion will drop by up to 40%

Sept 18 (5:21 pm): BlackBuck CEO Rajesh Yabaji issued a statement clarifying that the company is relocating only within Bengaluru to ease employee commutes. "We categorically refute claims that we are considering moving out of the city. Bengaluru is home for us, and we will continue to expand our footprint here."

Sept 19: CS Shalini Rajneesh, accompanied by senior officials, inspected the tech corridor on Friday, and was visibly angry with engineers after seeing the poor condition of ORR and Panathur Road, with potholes, overflowing sewage and broken footpath slabs.

Also, read: From BBMP to GBA: Will it make Bengaluru great again?

Also Read: After outrage, BlackBuck CEO clarifies: only relocating within Bengaluru

Sept 19: Peenya Industrial Association wrote to deputy CM, urging immediate repairs of roads in Peenya Industrial Area, warning that poor infrastructure is prompting companies to consider relocating to neighbouring states.

Sept 20 (11 am): Residents in the tech corridor staged a silent protest along Varthur Road over poor infrastructure, forming a human chain between Gunjur and Varthur Kodi, but cops stopped them citing lack of permission.

Also Read:  Peenya Industrial Association flags pothole issue to DK Shivakumar; says many Bengaluru firms mull shifting to neighbouring states

Sept 20: Bengaluru East Commissioner DS Ramesh convened a meeting to fast-track widening of the Bhoganahalli-Panathur Road to 12 m. For the project, 50 of 55 properties have been acquired, and the remaining owners have agreed to give land. Officials were directed to complete acquisition, documentation, and compensation promptly.

Sept 20: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah expressed displeasure over Bengaluru’s poor roads during a high-level meeting, questioning officials over reasons behind incomplete work ahead of the monsoon, ordering field inspections and a one-month deadline to repair all potholes. Deputy CM said additional Rs 750 crore has been sanctioned to fix Bengaluru’s infra woes.

Also Read: Why were road works not completed? Karnataka CM expresses displeasure over Bengaluru roads, sets one-month deadline to fix potholes

Sept 21: Greater Bengaluru Authority officials have launched pothole filling drive across the city.

Will they meet the one-month deadline, and will the patchwork last? Only time will tell.