Wipro chairman Azim Premji has turned down a request from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to open the company’s Sarjapur campus to public vehicles in a bid to reduce traffic congestion on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR). Premji cited legal, governance, and compliance concerns, noting the facility’s designation as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) serving global clients.
Compliance and Security Concerns
Premji explained that allowing public traffic through the SEZ campus could breach strict access control norms required by global service contracts. He added that such a measure would not offer a sustainable, long-term solution to Bengaluru’s chronic traffic woes. The campus is private property owned by a listed company and is not meant for public use, he emphasized.
Call for Scientific, Long-Term Solutions
Instead of short-term fixes, Premji urged the government to commission a comprehensive, expert-led study on traffic management along the ORR. He offered Wipro’s support — including underwriting a significant portion of the study’s cost — to develop a holistic roadmap for short-, medium-, and long-term mobility solutions.
Private Sector’s Role in Urban Planning
The exchange underscores how private companies are increasingly being drawn into public infrastructure debates in tech hubs like Bengaluru. While rejecting the specific proposal, Wipro reiterated its commitment to partnering with authorities to address urban challenges, signalling a collaborative approach to solving the city’s worsening traffic crisis.
