Bengaluru IT Firms Reject 50% WFH Offer

The Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) has officially rejected a proposal from the Karnataka government to implement a 50% work-from-home (WFH) policy. The government had suggested this measure to mitigate traffic congestion during the upcoming white-topping project on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The association, which represents major IT giants and multinational firms, stated that a mandatory WFH shift is not a viable solution for the industry's current operational requirements. They argued that bringing employees back to the office is essential for productivity and collaboration.

The standoff centers on a ₹450-crore road revamp project scheduled to begin in October 2026. This project involves 'white-topping'—a process of covering existing roads with a layer of concrete for durability. However, the ORR is already heavily congested due to ongoing Metro construction work. ORRCA has demanded that the government halt the white-topping project until the Metro work is fully completed. They claim that starting a second major infrastructure project simultaneously will lead to complete traffic paralysis in the tech corridor, which houses over a million employees.

This dispute highlights the deepening tension between Bengaluru's rapid infrastructure needs and its economic engine, the IT sector. The ORR corridor contributes a significant portion of the city's revenue, and traffic delays are estimated to cause massive economic losses annually. While the government insists that white-topping is necessary to fix crumbling roads, the IT body maintains that the timing is disastrous. If a compromise is not reached before October, the city could face unprecedented traffic gridlock, potentially damaging its reputation as a global technology hub.