Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Bengaluru Firms Oppose Mandatory WFH, Urge Metro Priority
The government wants to repair Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road by adding a stronger surface called white-topping.
The work is expected to start in October.
Officials proposed asking half of some employees to work from home to reduce traffic during construction.
Large technology and banking companies near the road do not agree with this plan.
They say working from home should not replace better infrastructure planning and traffic management.
The companies want the government to focus first on finishing Namma Metro work.
Their association also said officials did not properly consult them before announcing the plan.
It said the proposal did not match what had been discussed at an earlier meeting.
IT and banking firms along Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road oppose mandatory work-from-home measures linked to planned road work.
The government plans to begin white-topping work in October and require 50% of employees to work from home.
Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced the plan on August 14.
The Outer Ring Road Companies Association urged the government to prioritise completing Namma Metro work instead.
The association said it was not consulted and that the plan conflicted with an August 4 understanding involving officials.
- Who
- The Bengaluru government, led in this announcement by Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and companies represented by the Outer Ring Road Companies Association.
- What
- The government plans white-topping work and a requirement that 50% of employees work from home; the companies oppose the approach and want metro work prioritised.
- When
- The plan was announced on August 14, with white-topping work planned for October; the companies referred to an earlier meeting on August 4.
- Where
- Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, where major IT and banking firms operate.
- Why
- The work-from-home measure is intended to manage traffic disruption from road construction, while the companies argue that infrastructure planning and traffic management should be improved instead.
Government Plan
Companies’ Objection
Managing construction traffic
Government Plan
Requiring 50% of employees to work from home is presented as a way to manage traffic disruption while white-topping work takes place.
Companies’ Objection
The Outer Ring Road Companies Association says work from home cannot substitute for effective infrastructure planning and traffic management.
Construction priorities
Government Plan
The government plans to start white-topping work on the Outer Ring Road in October.
Companies’ Objection
The companies want the government to prioritise completing Namma Metro work instead.
Consultation
Government Plan
The plan was announced by the government after discussions involving the Greater Bengaluru Authority and traffic police officials.
Companies’ Objection
The association said it was not taken into confidence and that the announcement appeared inconsistent with the understanding reached at an August 4 meeting.
- Planned construction
- White-topping work on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road is planned to begin in October.
- Proposed work-from-home measure
- The government plans to require 50% of employees to work from home.
- Announcement date
- Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced the plan on August 14.
- Companies affected
- Major IT and banking firms operating along the Outer Ring Road.
- Companies’ request
- The Outer Ring Road Companies Association asked the government to prioritise completing Namma Metro work.
- Consultation concern
- The association said it was not consulted before the white-topping plan was announced.
- Earlier meeting
- The association cited an August 4 meeting with Greater Bengaluru Authority and traffic police officials.