Bengaluru: Which should take priority: Metro or concrete roads? Or should construction of both happen in tandem? While the debate continues with no easy solution, tens of thousands of tech workers clutch their noses and ride through columns of dust in the heart of technopolis. The Rs 450-crore white-topping and other road works on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) stretch between Central Silk Board and KR Pura have hit a hurdle. Outer Ring Road Companies’ Association has urged the civic authorities not to proceed with the project till Namma Metro’s Blue Line becomes operational.The industry body has spiked the civic agency’s proposal of allowing techies to work from home (WFH) during white-topping of the 17.1km stretch, proposed by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure (B-Smile). The tech corridor hosts 500 companies and 10 lakh employees.In a letter to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao, ORRCA expressed “deep disappointment” and “serious concern” over white-topping work, saying carriageway interventions during Metro construction constrain the already-stressed corridor.TOI had highlighted the issue in its report, ‘Blue Line Metro deadline pushed to 2027, ORR commuters worried’, on Aug 15.At a meeting with GBA and ORRCA representatives on Aug 4, the industry body was assured the ORR project would be undertaken through a consultative process, with completion of Metro as immediate priority. But the civic agency later announced it would start work in October and suggested that companies explore WFH for employees to facilitate road work. ORRCA said the GBA’s move violates the Aug 4 understanding.“This is unacceptable. After much struggle, companies have brought employees back to the office. Will company headquarters accept work from home for thousands for months just because of road works,” an ORRCA source said. “Work from home cannot be a substitute for effective infrastructure planning and traffic management,” the letter stated.The letter further stated that ORRCA remains committed to working constructively with the government. “Our concern is not with improving ORR; it is with ensuring that a RS 450-crore investment is implemented in the right sequence. Given ORR’s importance to Bengaluru’s economy, we request your intervention and written confirmation that the proposed works and all related tendering, contracting and mobilization activities will remain on hold pending completion of this process.”Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda said he had not received the letter from ORRCA and added that concerns would be addressed by GBA chief Rao. However, Rao was not available for comment.6-POINT CHARTER1. WFH cannot be a mitigation strategy without prior consultation with companies2. Suspend all actions on white-topping/major carriageway till consultation and technical evaluation are completed3. Metro completion and operational readiness must remain the immediate priority4. Present white-topping vs black-topping assessment to stakeholders before a final decision5. Develop comprehensive traffic simulation diversion and construction-management plan with ORRCA and traffic police6. Convene meeting with ORRCA before taking next step on civil works
