Wipro Chairman Cites Legal and Security Concerns, Offers Support for Long-Term Mobility Solutions
Key Highlights:
- Wipro refuses to open Sarjapur campus for public traffic access
- Campus operates as an SEZ with strict access control
- Azim Premji proposes expert-led study to address traffic congestion
- Wipro pledges to fund a major portion of the study
Wipro Rejects Request to Open Sarjapur Campus for Public Vehicles
Wipro Chairman and founder Azim Premji has declined a request from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to open the company’s Sarjapur campus to public traffic. The request was part of the government’s broader initiative to ease severe traffic congestion along Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), a key corridor for tech and export operations.
SEZ Restrictions Prevent Public Access
Premji stated that the Sarjapur campus is classified as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which comes with strict legal, governance, and compliance mandates that prohibit public vehicle movement through the premises.
“Our Sarjapur campus is a private property within an SEZ and serves global clients under strict access controls. Allowing public traffic would violate legal and contractual obligations,” Premji wrote in a letter to the Chief Minister.
Public Access Not a Sustainable Traffic Solution
He further noted that opening a private campus to public traffic would not offer a sustainable or long-term solution to Bengaluru’s growing traffic challenges.
“The complexity of Bengaluru’s traffic problem cannot be addressed with one-off measures. A comprehensive approach is necessary,” Premji said.
Wipro Proposes Scientific, Expert-Led Urban Mobility Study
Instead of granting access, Premji proposed a scientific and data-driven study led by urban transport experts to identify viable, long-term traffic solutions.
“We recommend commissioning a study by a globally recognized expert entity in urban transport. Wipro is willing to underwrite a significant part of the study’s cost,” he added.
Commitment to Public-Private Collaboration
While denying the specific request, Premji reassured the state of Wipro’s commitment to public-private collaboration. He has designated senior Wipro executive Reshmi Shankar to coordinate with government authorities on future mobility initiatives.
The Bigger Picture: Bengaluru’s Ongoing Traffic Crisis
Bengaluru has long struggled with traffic congestion, particularly along IT corridors like ORR. The state government has been actively seeking cooperation from private sector stakeholders to help decongest these high-traffic zones.
Conclusion
While Azim Premji has firmly declined to open Wipro’s Sarjapur SEZ campus to public traffic, his offer to support a scientifically-driven urban mobility study reflects a long-term, solution-oriented approach. This highlights the evolving role of corporate stakeholders in shaping urban infrastructure and transport policies, especially in rapidly expanding tech hubs like Bengaluru.
