(Image source from: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Wipro's founder and chairman, Azim Premji, has said no to opening the company's campus for outside traffic as a route after Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requested help to reduce road congestion in the area. Although he turned down the specific request, Mr. Premji reiterated Wipro's dedication to working with the government on transportation issues. He appointed Reshmi Shankar, a senior member of the company, to handle further talks with state officials. Bengaluru has been facing serious traffic problems across the city. In his letter, the chief minister asked if Wipro could let public vehicles use its Sarjapur campus. Mr. Premji recognized the seriousness of the situation and thanked Siddaramaiah for seeking support from businesses to address traffic jams on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road.
However, the Wipro chairman explained that the Sarjapur campus is classified as a special economic zone (SEZ) and has strict rules regarding access because of its global service obligations. "Regarding the suggestion of permitting public traffic through our Sarjapur campus, we foresee significant legal, governance, and regulatory issues since it is private property owned by a publicly traded company that is not meant for public roads," Mr. Premji stated in the letter. "Furthermore, it should be noted that our Sarjapur campus is a SEZ that offers services to international clients, and our contractual agreements require strict, non-negotiable access control for governance and compliance. Additionally, allowing public vehicles to pass through private land would not serve as a practical, long-lasting solution," Mr. Premji added. He mentioned that addressing the traffic issues on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road (ORR) requires a scientific study, led by experts, to create lasting solutions. Since the ORR is an important route for exports, a thorough and data-informed strategy is necessary instead of quick fixes, he stated.
"The complexity of the problem, caused by many factors, indicates that a single simple solution is unlikely to exist. Therefore, we think the best way forward is to conduct a detailed scientific study by a highly skilled organization in urban transport management. This effort would help us create a comprehensive plan of effective solutions that could be acted on in the short, medium, and long term. To show our willingness to be part of the solution, Wipro is ready to participate in this process and cover a significant amount of the cost for this expert study," Mr. Premji mentioned in his letter. The letter highlights the increasing involvement of private entities in shaping urban infrastructure policies, particularly in technology-focused cities like Bengaluru.
