Wipro Founder Chairman Azim Premji with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Bengaluru: In a firm response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s request to ease Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) congestion, Wipro Founder Chairman Azim Premji has declined the proposal to allow public vehicular access through Wipro’s Sarjapur campus. Instead, Wipro has suggested a comprehensive, scientific study by global experts to chart a long-term roadmap for Bengaluru’s mobility crisis.
Premji, in a letter dated September 24, 2025, thanked the CM for recognizing Wipro’s contribution to Karnataka but stressed that traffic congestion is a complex, multi-factor issue requiring sustainable, multi-layered solutions.
“There is unlikely to be a single-point solution or a silver bullet. The most effective way forward is to commission a scientific study by an entity with world-class expertise in urban transport management. Wipro will underwrite a significant portion of the cost for this expert study,” Premji wrote.
Wipro Rejects Campus Road Proposal
On the Chief Minister’s specific suggestion of allowing public vehicles through Wipro’s Sarjapur SEZ campus, Premji categorically rejected it, citing legal, governance, and statutory hurdles.
He clarified that:
- The Sarjapur campus is exclusive private property owned by a listed company and not intended for public thoroughfare.
- The campus is designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) serving global clients, bound by strict compliance and security contracts.
- Allowing public traffic movement would breach SEZ rules and create non-negotiable risks.
“Public vehicular movement through private property would not be effective as a sustainable, long-term solution,” the letter stated.
Partnership Still on the Table
Despite rejecting the CM’s proposal, Wipro reiterated its willingness to partner with the government to find lasting solutions for Bengaluru’s traffic crisis. “We believe a collaborative, data-driven approach will yield the most impactful results,” Premji noted, offering Wipro executives to work with state officials on future strategies.
Background
The CM had earlier written to Wipro on September 19, 2025, urging cooperation from IT companies in tackling ORR congestion, which remains one of the city’s most pressing infrastructure bottlenecks.
With Wipro’s rejection, the state government may now need to explore alternate routes or rely on large-scale infrastructural solutions rather than private property access.
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