Information technology companies along Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) could again have work-from-home arrangements for some of their employees as we move closer to the big white-topping projects.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is looking at strategies to reduce traffic congestion during the road construction period when companies in the ORR technology corridor are required to allow about 50 per cent of their workforce to work remotely.
The proposed arrangement is linked to white-topping work expected to take place from October through January. As the ORR is one of Bengaluru’s busiest technology and commercial corridors, authorities are worried that construction activity could significantly worsen traffic conditions.
GBA meets with IT companies
A meeting was held with IT companies that operate along the ORR to discuss the management of traffic during the construction period.
Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and GBA officials discussed the proposed work-from-home arrangement with representatives of companies in the technology corridor, according to the report.
The authorities have called on companies to cut down on the number of employees who come to work during the construction period. Companies have evidently been responding to the proposal to some extent and are considering flexible work arrangements.
Under the proposed solution, around half of the employees would work from home while the remaining workforce continues to operate from offices.
And the final decision on working from home is up to the individual companies and their internal policies.
Why Work From Home Is Being Considered
The ORR has a high number of technology companies, business parks, and offices employing thousands of people.
The corridor already has heavy traffic in peak hours. Road construction could further reduce road capacity and increase travel times.
White-topping is the process of strengthening a road with a concrete surface, but construction work can temporarily slow traffic because portions of the road may have to be restricted or managed differently while construction is going on.
If a large percentage of IT employees stay home during the construction period, authorities expect the number of daily office-bound vehicles to fall.
And that could help reduce congestion not only on the ORR but also on connecting roads used by employees travelling to major technology hubs.
50% of employees could work remotely
The proposed arrangement will see approximately 50 per cent of employees at participating ORR companies working from home based on such an arrangement.
The remaining employees would work from their offices, possibly in a rotational fashion.
Based on operational requirements, companies could choose which teams or employees work remotely. Some functions that require physical presence could take place from home-based operations, while other work that can be done remotely may continue from offices.
This can enable companies to maintain business continuity while reducing the traffic pressure on Bengaluru’s roads as well.
IT Companies Respond Positively
The proposal has received a positive response from companies in the ORR technology corridor.
Many IT employees already have experience working remotely, in part because of the ubiquitous work-from-home arrangements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having experienced this work since then, the technology and systems are in place for remote working for some companies.
Working from home for workers during construction time could also reduce commuting time, fuel costs and stress associated with long-running traffic congestion.
Companies, meanwhile, could use hybrid work models to keep productivity high.
Construction Expected From October to January
The work-from-home arrangement is expected to happen with the white-topping schedule.
The construction period is likely to take place from October until January, and how remote-working arrangements are implemented will depend on the companies and road completion.
When the construction work is completed, companies are expected to return to their normal office-working arrangements.
At the same time, authorities also need to coordinate traffic management measures alongside the road construction so that vehicles can move through the corridor as efficiently as possible.
Relief for Bengaluru Traffic
The ORR is an important transport corridor for Bengaluru, connecting a number of major employment hubs.
A big reduction in office commuting would have an impact on traffic volumes during peak hours. Fewer employee vehicles on the road could potentially reduce congestion and shorten travel times for other road users.
Such a change would also reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions caused by long periods of traffic idling.
But those commuters who still need to travel through the ORR are likely to face disruption as construction is taking place.
Companies to take final call
Although the GBA is encouraging companies to adopt the work-from-home arrangement, the final decision will rest with individual employers.
Companies will have to assess their business needs, employee roles, infrastructure and operational requirements before determining how many workers can operate remotely.
Employees working from home will also need reliable internet connectivity and suitable work arrangements to ensure that productivity remains unaffected.
The proposed coordination between the government and Bengaluru’s IT sector is also intended to balance road construction with the city’s economic activity.
If implemented properly, the temporary work-from-home arrangement could help reduce the impact of the upcoming ORR white-topping project on Bengaluru’s already congested roads while allowing IT companies to continue their operations with minimal disruption.
