• Source:JND
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Bengaluru’s all time traffic congestion is set to worsen as several private companies along Outer Ring Road (ORR) end work-from-home and hybrid arrangements, mandating full-time office attendance starting October 1. The move, aimed at boosting productivity, has sparked concerns among commuters about increased travel times and gridlock on the city’s already strained roads.

Employees are bracing for longer commutes, with some questioning whether the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) have been informed of the potential surge in vehicles. A Reddit user shared, “WFO Mandatory from 1st Oct, prepare for Traffic woes. A bunch of offices on the ORR have announced Mandatory work from the office starting from 1st October. They’re tying this to performance and salary. Be prepared for the increase in traffic starting from 1st October. I’m not even sure if the Bengaluru Traffic Police has been informed about this change and increase in density of vehicles on the roads.”

WFO Mandatory from 1st Oct, prepare for Traffic woes
byu/Complex_Feedback_748 inBengaluru

Data from the Bengaluru Traffic Police shows a 45 per cent increase in vehicles entering 26 major tech parks near ORR in June compared to the previous year. Wednesdays saw the highest spike, with over 120,000 vehicles recorded in a single day, up from 82,000 in June 2024, driven by mandatory office attendance.

Beyond ORR, routes like Sarjapur Road and those leading to Electronics City are expected to face worsening congestion as more companies enforce in-office policies.

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Rahul Shetty, a senior developer, shared that he now commutes to his Doddanekundi office four days a week, believing physical presence boosts job security. This mindset is contributing to midweek traffic spikes, particularly on Wednesdays. To address this, Karthik Reddy, the city’s new joint commissioner of traffic, proposed solutions like allowing midweek work-from-home days or shifting office hours to start at 7:30 AM and end before evening rush hours.

According to The Economic Times, Bengaluru commuters in 2025 spend an average of 63 minutes on a 19-km one-way trip, a 16 per cent increase from last year. In comparison, Mumbai commuters average 66 minutes for 25 km, NCR 65 minutes for 26 km (up 1.5 per cent ), Chennai 63 minutes for 22 km, and Hyderabad 58 minutes for 23 km.

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Fears of layoffs, heightened by the rise of AI, are driving employees to prioritize in-office presence to demonstrate commitment and secure their jobs. This trend is adding significant pressure to Bengaluru’s already overburdened road network.