Billionaire Blames Infosys, Narayana Murthy for Bengaluru's Traffic Problems

Bengaluru is infamous for its traffic problems, and we have reported several incidents in the past where people stuck in traffic jams have responded in bizarre ways. Recently, we came across a social media post where the Chairman of RPG Enterprises, Harsh Goenka, posted a tweet blaming Infosys for present-day traffic issues.

Mr. Goenka shared images of Nandan Nilekani and N.R. Narayana Murthy on his X profile with a caption:

Once upon a time, Bengaluru was a serene haven—morning walks in Cubbon Park, leisurely drives in a Premier Padmini, and lazy afternoons spent in quaint bookstores. Then, a few bright IITians got some seed money from their better halves, and now… we spend more time stuck on Outer Ring Road than enjoying the ‘Garden City’ breeze. Progress, they call it!

The post has gone viral on the internet, sparking a range of reactions. The comment section includes users who both agree and disagree with Mr. Goenka. While the tweet doesn’t explicitly mention the name of any company, it is evident that he is referring to Infosys.

Some of the comments under this post include:

“Bangalore is one city that had potential... The last two decades literally saw the city grow... Even today, the roads and infrastructure of the old city—i.e., the Garden City—are better than the ‘developed’ city... You can blame N.R.N. Murthy for throttling innovation in tech, but you can’t blame him for Bangalore’s pathetic infrastructure. The politicians and builder lobby are to blame. They encroached on lakes, didn’t build roads, didn’t develop infrastructure, and exploited the city…”

“It is no longer the Garden City! If only they had picked a major city instead of a sleepy town! Now, it’s a nightmare! Jigani used to be the outskirts of Bangalore; now it isn’t. India’s worst drivers are in Bangalore.”

Bengaluru is known as the “Silicon Valley of India,” and there are several reasons why it has earned this title. Many IT firms are based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. These firms require employees and a workforce, with several being MNCs that hire talent from across the country and even from around the world.

In the 1990s, Bengaluru’s population was around 40 lakh. As more companies set up offices, the city’s population began to rise. According to a website, Bengaluru's population in 2024 is around 1.43 crore. However, Bengaluru is not a vast city and does not have enough space to accommodate such a large population.

Most people who have relocated to Bengaluru for work lead a good lifestyle, and many own vehicles for commuting—whether two-wheelers or four-wheelers. Just like its human population, Bengaluru’s vehicle population has also surged, contributing significantly to traffic congestion.

Is Infosys Actually The Reason?

While we appreciate that a billionaire businessman like Harsh Goenka has highlighted the traffic issue, we don’t believe IT firms are to blame.

The real issue is the incapability of the authorities. The government invited these companies to set up offices in Bengaluru without considering the long-term consequences. They were unprepared for such situations and should have simultaneously worked on expanding road infrastructure. Most roads in the city are not wide enough to accommodate such a high number of vehicles, which is the primary cause of traffic jams.

Additionally, many construction projects in the city are moving at a snail’s pace, further worsening the problem for road users. This has also contributed to the rise in road rage incidents in Bengaluru.

Hopefully, Mr. Goenka’s tweet will grab the attention of politicians and authorities, prompting them to come up with a solution to this persistent issue.