Bengaluru Rain Alert: Bengaluru Traffic Police has advised companies located along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to work from home (WFH) today i.e. Wednesday (August 14). Bengaluru Traffic has issued the ‘work from home’ advisory amid the long weekend and heavy rains expected.
The traffic police on Tuesday (August 13) urged the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) to ask employees to ‘work from home’ on Wednesday (August 14) as heavy rains are expected in the city. The police have also anticipated heavy traffic jams due to the upcoming long weekend as many people may leave the city.
In a letter to the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA), Joint Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru Traffic) MN Anucheth said, “It is to bring to your notice that heavy traffic jams are expected on August 14 due to the upcoming long weekend and predicted heavy rains.”
The advisory said, “In order to minimise disruptions and avoid unnecessary delays, ORRCA member companies are requested to consider allowing WFH for their employees on August 14. This measure will not only reduce the number of vehicles on the road but will also ensure a smooth commute for those who need to travel.”
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The official gave details to Moneycontrol
“One of the reasons behind issuing the advisory is the long weekend. The other reason is the forecast of heavy rains for the next three days issued by the weather department. We conducted a simulation based on the events of last September and the previous long weekend (January 26 to 28). We analysed the traffic for August 14 using data from aggregators and KSRTC’s online bus booking sites. A total of 1,397 tickets were booked from 4 pm to 11 pm, which is three times more than usual. Additionally, KSRTC is operating around 700 buses, while 400 buses are on standby,” Anucheth told Moneycontrol.
We assess the situation based on data and past experience. For example, if it is a normal Wednesday and it rains, the length of the traffic jam can increase almost three times than usual. This can potentially lead to gridlock. So, we have asked ORRCA to consider this request, the official said.
Police told the reason for the advisory
Anucheth said that this is not an order but an advice. We are requesting the companies to consider it. He said that even if only 5-10% of the people agree to this advisory, it will definitely reduce the traffic. ORRCA General Secretary Ramesh VT told Moneycontrol, “We have not made work from home mandatory on August 14. But we have advised all the companies. The concerned companies will decide on this. But some companies said that they have received the advice late. This is an advice from the traffic police in view of the long weekend.”
Employees may leave the city due to weekend
Traffic police said that since Independence Day falls on Thursday, many people in the city are planning to go on a long weekend on August 14. This is expected to cause traffic jams across the city. Heavy rains on August 12 caused traffic jams and waterlogging in many areas of Bengaluru.
The waterlogging led to massive traffic jams on Outer Ring Road and Hosur Road. Many motorists were stuck in traffic for hours on the Electronics City elevated flyover. According to ORRCA, the tech corridor employs 9.5 lakh people in over 500 companies. Due to heavy traffic jams on Outer Ring Road, people have to spend 3 to 4 hours on the road.
