Bengaluru is once again in the spotlight for its traffic woes and things may soon get even more difficult for daily commuters. The city, already infamous for long hours spent stuck on the road, could see an even bigger rush starting October 1. Several private companies located on Outer Ring Road (ORR) have decided to end work-from-home and hybrid options, making it compulsory for employees to return to the office full-time.
While the decision is meant to improve productivity, it is also raising concerns about how the already packed roads will handle the extra load. Many employees are worried about the added travel time and frustration, while others are questioning whether the city’s traffic department has been informed about this major shift.
A Reddit user informed, “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."
Impact On Traffic and a Sharp Rise In Vehicle Numbers
Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) data revealed that entries into 26 major tech parks near ORR rose by 45 per cent in June compared to the same month last year. The jump was most noticeable on Wednesdays, when more than 1,20,000 vehicles were used in the area in a single day, which was around 82,000 in June 2024. The rise in private vehicles are growing due to the pressure of mandatory office visits.
Along with the Outer Ring Road (ORR), other busy routes in Bengaluru are also expected to suffer in the coming months. Traffic on Sarjapur Road and the routes leading to Electronics City is likely to get worse as more companies are calling their employees back to the office.
Midweek Spike
Rahul Shetty, a senior developer, explained that he now goes to his Doddanekundi office almost four days a week because he feels it is important to be physically present. He believes that if managers see him at his desk, it may give him better job security.
Due to this thinking, so many employees are returning to offices at the same time and jams have become worse. Looking at the growing problem, the city’s new joint commissioner of traffic, Karthik Reddy, has suggested a simple solution. He advised IT companies to let staff work from home midweek, especially on Wednesdays when traffic is worst. Another option he suggested is starting office hours earlier, around 7:30 am and ending work before peak evening traffic.
Increased Commute Time
According to data shared by Economic Times, Bengaluru commuters spend an average of 63 minutes on a one-way trip in 2025, covering 19 km, which is a 16% rise compared to last year. Mumbai has the longest travel time, which is 66 minutes for 25 km. The National Capital Region (NCR) follows with 65 minutes for 26 km, but that’s just an increase of 1.5 per cent. In Chennai, the average office goers take 63 minutes to reach 22 km. Meanwhile, Hyderabad recorded a shorter time of 58 minutes for 23 km.
Job Fears (those worried about layoffs are increasing office presence)
Due to the constant fear of layoffs after the adoption of AI, being present in the office is seen as a way to show commitment and secure jobs. This mindset is pushing more and more employees to travel daily, which adds further pressure on the city’s already overloaded roads
