Azim Premji Rejects CM's Plea to Open Wipro Campus for Traffic

25 September, 2025

Wipro founder-chairman Azim Premji has declined a request from Karnataka's Chief Minister to allow public traffic through the company's Sarjapur campus in Bengaluru to alleviate congestion on the Outer Ring Road. In a letter, Premji cited legal, governance, and security challenges, noting the campus is a private property and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with strict access norms. Instead, he proposed that Wipro would help fund a comprehensive scientific study by urban transport experts to find a sustainable solution.

Unpacked:

Why is Wipro’s Sarjapur campus designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and what does that imply for public access?

Wipro’s Sarjapur campus is an SEZ, which means it is governed by strict regulations to promote export-oriented business activity. Access is tightly controlled for security, compliance, and legal reasons, prohibiting public entry and use for non-business purposes.

How severe is traffic congestion on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, and why was Wipro’s campus considered as a possible solution?

Traffic congestion on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road is significant, especially near the Iblur junction, a major choke point. The Chief Minister estimated that routing vehicles through Wipro’s campus could reduce congestion by nearly 30% during peak hours.

What legal and governance challenges did Azim Premji cite in his refusal to open Wipro’s campus to public traffic?

Premji cited legal, governance, and statutory challenges, including contractual obligations requiring strict access controls, SEZ regulations, and the campus’s status as private property not intended for public thoroughfare.

What alternative solution did Azim Premji propose to address traffic congestion, and how is Wipro involved?

Premji proposed funding a comprehensive scientific study by urban transport experts to analyze and develop sustainable, data-driven solutions for Bengaluru’s traffic problems. Wipro committed to underwriting a significant portion of the cost and collaborating with the government.

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