ORR Companies Oppose White-Topping Work and WFH Proposal Before Metro Completion

The Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) has written to Greater Bengaluru Authority commissioner Maheshwar Rao expressing deep disappointment and serious concern over the move to commence white-topping work on the Outer Ring Road in October 2026, while rejecting the State government's suggestion of work-from-home measures to manage traffic disruption.

Pointing out that the Outer Ring Road corridor supports more than 500 companies and approximately 1.3 million employees, the association argued that work-from-home cannot serve as a substitute for effective infrastructure planning and traffic management. The association noted that companies had actively backed the ₹450 crore ORR Improvement Programme approved in January 2026 to ensure coordinated transformation with minimal disruption.

The pushback follows an August 4 townhall meeting chaired by Rao, where more than 100 representatives from ORR firms met senior officials. Nearly 70% of participants had urged the government to focus on completing the Metro project before launching new roadworks. According to the letter, it was understood during the meeting that carriageway works would be consultative, technically evaluated, and sequenced after Metro completion.

ORRCA demanded that white-topping and major carriageway works—including tendering, contractor appointments, preparatory works, and physical execution—be put on hold until agreed technical evaluations and consultations are completed. Additional demands include prioritising Metro operational readiness, conducting stakeholder consultations on white-topping versus black-topping, developing a comprehensive traffic simulation and diversion plan with traffic police, and holding an urgent meeting before progressing further.

Acknowledging the letter, Rao stated that officials would have to devise a plan to begin the works, adding that executing white-topping in phases is an option. However, a source in the implementing agency B-SMILE stated that tender documents are being prepared and are expected to be floated within 15 days, with service roads slated to use the Full Depth Reclamation technique.