Bengaluru, long hailed as India’s tech capital, is facing criticism over its deteriorating infrastructure. Rajesh Yabaji, Co-Founder and CEO of logistics startup BlackBuck, announced that the company is relocating its office from the city’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) due to worsening road conditions and extended commute times. 

“ORR (Bellandur) has been our ‘office + home’ for the last nine years. But it’s now very-very hard to continue here. We have decided to move out,” Yabaji wrote on X.

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Commute woes 

The decision comes after employees’ average one-way commute increased to over 1.5 hours, affecting productivity and work-life balance. Roads in the ORR, home to numerous tech firms and startups, are plagued with potholes and dust. Yabaji highlighted the lack of civic intent to address these issues, stating that he did not expect improvements in the next five years.

Growing frustration among businesses

BlackBuck’s relocation shows frustration among companies operating in Bengaluru’s IT corridor. Despite repeated complaints from residents and businesses, road maintenance and infrastructure development have lagged behind the city’s rapid growth. For many startups and multinational companies, the combination of heavy traffic, poor road quality, and insufficient civic action has become a significant operational hurdle.

Former CFO of Infosys and chairman of Aarin Capital TV Mohandas Pai, reacting to Bengaluru potholes and tech firms moving out, said, “Big big failure of governance in Bengaluru. Minister@DKShivakumar please see, cos are moving out of ORR. Situation beyond hope. Please intervene.”

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, reposting Pai’s post, said, “This is serious. Emergency measures needed to fix these issues”.

Bengaluru children write to PM Modi

Children in Bengaluru’s Talaghattapura have written a heartfelt letter in Kannada to “Modi Thatha” and “Siddaramaiah Thatha,” pleading for better roads around Judicial Layout on Kanakapura Road. They described the pothole-ridden, muddy, and broken roads that have remained neglected for two years, despite their parents paying regular taxes, urging immediate attention.

Civic authorities respond

Meanwhile, the issue has attracted attention from Karnataka’s top officials. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently addressed the media after a high-level meeting involving the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and five city corporations. He warned that officials responsible for poor civic work would be held accountable and directed city commissioners to conduct regular inspections to improve road conditions.

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Shivakumar also acknowledged that solving Bengaluru’s infrastructural problems would take time. “We have to deliver, make sure every citizen is helped. All the problems of Bangalore city cannot be solved in one day. I know it takes time. Our citizens should also cooperate. They should declare their assets. They should not hide anything. They should pay taxes regularly, and they will get good governance,” he said.

Meanwhile, BlackBuck is not the only firm facing these challenges. Several businesses have voiced concerns over long commutes, rising operational costs, and employee dissatisfaction linked to urban infrastructure issues.