Wipro’s chairman Azim Premji has refused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s request to open the company’s Sarjapur campus for public traffic. The request was made because Bengaluru is facing huge traffic jams, especially on the busy Outer Ring Road where many IT companies are located.
Premji agreed that Bengaluru’s traffic problem is very serious and appreciated the government for asking private companies to help. But he explained that Wipro’s Sarjapur campus cannot be opened for public use. The reason is that the campus is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which has very strict rules. Since the company works with global clients and is a listed company, it must follow tough legal and compliance conditions. Allowing public vehicles inside would break these rules and create big risks for the company’s international operations.
He also pointed out that even if the road was opened, it would not solve traffic issues in the long run. Bengaluru’s congestion, he said, is caused by many factors, and a temporary shortcut through private property cannot fix it. Instead, Premji suggested that the government should arrange a full scientific study led by global experts in urban transport. Such a study could give clear and practical solutions for short-term relief as well as long-term planning.
To show Wipro’s commitment, Premji promised that the company is ready to pay a large part of the cost for such a study. He also appointed Reshmi Shankar, a senior Wipro official, to work with the state government and coordinate further discussions.
Although Premji’s rejection upset many commuters who wanted the Wipro campus road opened, his letter stressed the importance of proper planning rather than quick fixes. The letter quickly spread on social media, where people debated whether companies like Wipro should do more to help ease the city’s traffic.
This issue highlights how private companies are becoming an important part of urban discussions in cities like Bengaluru. Since the IT industry plays such a big role in the city’s growth, citizens expect companies to help with civic problems. Premji’s stand, however, makes it clear that lasting solutions will need expert planning, government action, and cooperation—not just opening private roads.
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