Azim Premji Declines Karnataka CM's Request to Open Wipro Campus for Traffic Relief in Bengaluru

Wipro founder and chairman Azim Premji has declined Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's request to open the company's Sarjapur campus as a public thoroughfare to help alleviate Bengaluru's severe traffic congestion.

In his response to the Chief Minister's letter, Mr. Premji explained that while Wipro remains committed to addressing the city's mobility challenges, the campus cannot be opened to outside traffic due to several constraints.

The primary obstacles cited include legal and statutory challenges, as the facility is a private property owned by a publicly listed company. Additionally, the Sarjapur campus operates as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) providing services to global clients under contractual obligations that require stringent access control measures for governance and compliance purposes.

"Public vehicular movement through private property would not be effective as a sustainable, long-term solution," Mr. Premji stated in his letter, acknowledging the gravity of Bengaluru's traffic issues.

Despite declining this specific request, the Wipro chairman has demonstrated willingness to collaborate on more comprehensive solutions. He has appointed senior company representative Reshmi Shankar to coordinate further discussions with state officials regarding mobility issues.

Mr. Premji suggested that addressing traffic congestion along Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road requires a scientific, expert-led approach rather than piecemeal solutions. He emphasized that the complexity of the problem stems from multiple factors, making it unlikely that any single intervention would resolve the situation.

"We believe the most effective path forward is to commission a comprehensive, scientific study led by an entity with world-class expertise in urban transport management," Mr. Premji wrote, adding that such an exercise would help develop implementable solutions for the short, medium, and long term.

As a demonstration of Wipro's commitment to being part of the solution, Mr. Premji offered to "underwrite a significant portion of the cost for this expert study."

Bengaluru has been struggling with severe traffic congestion throughout the city, with the Outer Ring Road being particularly problematic as a key export-oriented corridor.

This exchange between Karnataka's government and one of India's most prominent business leaders highlights the growing importance of public-private partnerships in addressing urban infrastructure challenges, particularly in technology hubs like Bengaluru.