Bengaluru traffic: In a bid to tackle Bengaluru’s chronic traffic woes, particularly along the congested Outer Ring Road (ORR), the city’s traffic police have proposed a new idea. They have suggested implementing work from home (WFH) on Wednesdays. Alongside staggered office hours and company-arranged transport, the initiative is aimed at easing the daily gridlock in India’s IT capital.
Bengaluru’s traffic situation, especially during peak hours, has long been a source of frustration for residents and commuters.
A user on X vented, “The traffic situation in Bangalore is incomprehensible. I leave for office at 9 or 9:30 and reach around 12 regardless of when I start. It’s only a 6 km ride! I can’t even think about taking my own car and driving in such stress, so I’m forced to book Uber or similar, which costs Rs 500–Rs 600 per ride during peak hours. Thankfully, my office follows a hybrid model, but we still have to go through this chaos every other morning. It drains all motivation to work hard. Most days, we have to postpone meetings because someone is stuck in traffic. Even colleagues who live within 1–2 km of the office prefer walking through traffic over calling a cab.”
“This is completely unacceptable for a city like Bangalore. I chose this city over international opportunities 10 years ago but now I’ve had enough,” he added.
What do we know about the WFH plan?
The proposed mid-week WFH plan, according to traffic officials, is part of a wider set of measures aimed at reducing pressure on ORR, home to several major IT parks and companies. If implemented effectively, it could be a much-needed step toward restoring both mobility and productivity in the city.
Joint Commissioner of Traffic, Karthik Reddy, said that traffic volume peaks between 9 and 10 am. To ease this pressure, companies have been advised to consider starting the workday as early as 7.30 am. Crucially, traffic authorities are also recommending that mid-week WFH be implemented, allowing thousands of tech workers to avoid commuting entirely on Wednesdays.
What is the strategy?
The proposals were discussed at a joint meeting involving the traffic department, the BBMP (city corporation), BMTC (bus service), and key stakeholders from the IT sector. The meeting focused on urgent infrastructure upgrades, including accelerating pending roadworks along the ORR, setting up dedicated bus bays, and improving connectivity between major tech parks.
BMTC has committed to deploying air-conditioned buses for IT professionals, while private companies have been urged to organise shuttle services. Cameras will soon be installed to monitor traffic flow over three days and provide accurate data to guide future measures.
Parking violations
One of the key issues discussed was the rampant illegal parking near junctions and tech park entrances, which often worsens congestion. A zero-tolerance policy was agreed upon, with immediate towing of vehicles that violate parking rules. Traffic police also want companies to help enforce this by using marshals and volunteers.
Backup plans were also called for to deal with breakdowns of buses, trucks, or tankers that frequently lead to long tailbacks. Swift response mechanisms and better coordination between departments are being planned.
What IT firms want?
IT companies at the meeting put forward their ideas as well. They have pushed for mandatory staggered timings across the board, more carpooling, improved public transport, and structured shuttle systems. Suggestions also included traffic marshals, volunteer patrols, and banning heavy vehicles during rush hours.
Importantly, IT firms want advanced notice for WFH days, not only on Wednesdays but also on some Saturdays, to allow for smoother planning.
Krishna Kumar Gowda, vice president of the Greater Bengaluru IT and Companies Association, as quoted by Times Now, said, “Traffic in Bengaluru’s tech corridors is now beyond tolerable. We are ready to cooperate, but this needs real enforcement. WFH plans and staggered shifts must be properly implemented, with clear timelines.”
