Azim Premji declined Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s request to allow public vehicles through Wipro’s Sarjapur campus, citing legal, security, and sustainability concerns.

Premji Acknowledges Bengaluru’s Traffic Crisis

Azim Premji, in his letter to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, praised the government’s initiatives to tackle Bengaluru’s traffic woes. He said, “We sincerely appreciate your leadership for initiatives concerning the critical issue of traffic congestion in Bengaluru.”

Premji stressed the urgency of action, especially along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), which he called “an export-oriented economic hub.” He noted that the problem is highly complex, adding, “The problem’s complexity, stemming from multiple factors, suggests that there is unlikely to be a single point solution or a silver bullet to resolve it.”

Therefore, he suggested conducting a comprehensive, scientific study. Premji wrote that the best approach was to “commission a comprehensive, scientific study led by an entity with world-class expertise in urban transport management.”

Opening the Campus Not a Viable Solution

Premji explained that opening Wipro’s Sarjapur campus to public traffic would create serious complications. He pointed out that the campus is private property and also a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) serving global clients.

He wrote, “We apprehend significant legal, governance, and statutory challenges since it is an exclusive private property owned by a listed company not intended for public thoroughfare.”

Premji also said that the SEZ designation comes with strict contractual rules, which mandate “stringent, non-negotiable access control norms for governance and compliance.”

Furthermore, he highlighted that allowing public traffic inside the campus would not solve the issue in the long run, stating, “Public vehicular movement through a private property would not be effective as a sustainable, long-term solution.”

Wipro Pledges Support for Lasting Solutions

Although he rejected the request, Premji reaffirmed Wipro’s commitment to working with the government.

He said, “Wipro nevertheless stands committed to partner with the Government of Karnataka to find a lasting solution for Bengaluru’s mobility challenges.”
Premji also emphasized that a collaborative and data-driven strategy would bring the best results, writing, “We believe a collaborative, data-driven approach will yield the most impactful results for our city.”

Siddaramaiah’s Appeal for Support

Earlier, CM Siddaramaiah had urged Premji to help ease traffic on the ORR. In his September 19 letter, Siddaramaiah praised Wipro’s role in Karnataka’s growth and said, “One of the key challenges currently facing Bengaluru, particularly along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor at Iblur junction, is severe traffic congestion during peak hours, which adversely impacts mobility, productivity, and the quality of urban life.”

ORR Faces Severe Traffic Burden

The 62-kilometer Outer Ring Road connects major parts of Bengaluru, including Silk Board, Marathahalli, KR Puram, Hebbal, and Nayandahalli.

However, with many IT companies located along this stretch, gridlocks during peak hours have become common. This ongoing issue has created serious disruptions to urban mobility and productivity.

Premji’s refusal underscores the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to Bengaluru’s traffic challenges. While opening corporate campuses may seem like a quick fix, Premji believes scientific planning and long-term strategies are the only effective way forward.