Karnataka Forms Mobility Panel Under Priyank Kharge to Ease Whitefield Traffic

The Karnataka government on Saturday, August 8, constituted the Urban Mobility Mission Committee for Bengaluru (UMMCB) under the chairmanship of Home Minister Priyank Kharge to address traffic congestion and mobility challenges in major hubs, including Whitefield. The committee aims to bring government agencies, private mobility operators, technology companies, experts, and citizen groups onto a single platform.

According to the government order, the committee was established to build an integrated, sustainable, and technology-driven urban mobility system. Its objectives include preparing a unified Bengaluru Mobility Action Plan, identifying congestion-prone junctions, creating a Bengaluru Mobility Dashboard, and setting up a data-sharing system. It will also focus on pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as well as connectivity around metro, bus, and suburban railway stations.

The government stated that rapid urban growth has resulted in worsening traffic congestion, longer travel times, parking problems, and uncoordinated public transport systems, which adversely affect productivity and citizens' quality of life.

To address these issues, seven working groups have been formed under the committee. These groups will focus on traffic management and road safety, public transport integration, first- and last-mile connectivity, corporate and technology cluster mobility, digital mobility and data, urban freight and delivery, and infrastructure and roadworks coordination.

Representatives from private mobility and logistics companies, including Namma Yatri, MoveInSync, Uber, Rapido, and Ola, will participate in the committee. Employment hubs and technology clusters—including Whitefield, ITPL/ITPB, Outer Ring Road Companies Association, Manyata Tech Park, Electronic City, Bagmane Tech Park, and Embassy Tech Village—will also have representation alongside academic institutions such as IISc, IIIT-B, and IIMB.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the mission aims to develop comprehensive solutions rather than isolated measures. He noted that the committee will focus on improving commuter safety, reliability, and connectivity for key employment hubs like Whitefield and the Outer Ring Road.

The UMMCB will meet every three months, while its working groups will hold quarterly meetings. Progress reports will be submitted every three months, with a final annual report submitted to the state government.