Bengaluru: Opposition accuses BJP of ‘developing corruption’ as ORR firms incur ₹225-crore loss in 1 day of rain

The letter comes after the ORRCA, in 2019, requested an improvement of the road infrastructure on the ORR.

The representative body, however, alleged that “no notable progress has been made” on any of its previous requests.

“For around 10 years, flooding and interruptions happen during the rainy season of the year. The then chief minister visited the ORR in 2019 and approved several projects to improve traffic. However, progress has been slow since then,” ORRCA General Manager Krishna Kumar told South First.

Slew of criticisms

Chiding the government’s efforts towards developing infrastructure in the city, JD(S) vice-president Syed Shafiuall told South First, “The whole city faced heavy rainfall over the past two months or so, but the government has no concern towards the welfare of people and improving infrastructure. No vehicle can easily pass in Bengaluru and one cause of many accidents every year is the poor state of the roads in the city.”

Shafiullah, who is also the national spokesperson of the JD(S), was also of the view that the state government was more concerned to divide people along religious lines.

“The government should forget religious politics and utilise taxpayers’ money smartly as Bengaluru is an economic hub. This shows poor governance. Many people have died in these floods and their houses washed away, but the government has no answers to their woes. They should be paid compensation,” he said, adding that the demands of the ORRCA should be met immediately, and the ORR infrastructure should be developed soon.”

Calling this a warning to the state government, Ahmed said that it was the responsibility of the chief minister to personally intervene in the matter as Bengaluru was under his direct jurisdiction.

“The government should pay special interest towards the demand of the ORRCA as it generates nearly one-third of the revenue for the state,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the state government, Aam Aadmi Party Karnataka convenor Prithvi Reddy alleged that the IT firms were suffering due to corruption and misgovernance.

They came to Bengaluru looking at the :
great weather,hospitable and hardworking people,etc
They suffer due to corruption and malgovernance !@BSBommai avare address their needs begore it is too late, their leaving our city, will effect state revenue and cause a huge job losses ! pic.twitter.com/0tSRMW26Nl

— Prithvi Reddy (@aapkaprithvi) September 4, 2022

Former Agriculture, Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj minister Krishna Byre Gowda said that the BJP had brought disgrace to Bengaluru.

“The BJP has brought disgrace to BLR. Not only ruining its achievements and glory but ruining the city’s future. BJP is more concerned about what other people wear, eat & places of worship than saving or creating jobs. Bengaluru is being sacrificed for BJP’s corruption and power, [sic]” the Congress leader posted in a tweet.

BJP has brought disgrace to BLR. Not only ruining its achievements and glory,but ruining the city's future.#BJP is more concerned about what other people wear,eat & places of worship than saving or creating jobs.#Bengaluru is being sacrificed for BJP's corruption and power.4/4

— Krishna Byre Gowda (@krishnabgowda) September 3, 2022

Poor infra ‘bringing down efficiency, productivity’

The ORRCA letter, meanwhile, said that the poor infrastructure on the ORR stretch was bringing down the efficiency and productivity of the companies and putting employee safety and well-being at risk.

“Inadequate infrastructure on the ORR has now reached a crisis level. Even though only 30 percent of the ORR population has returned to working from the office, the collapse of the infrastructure has drawn global concern about Bengaluru’s ability to handle further growth. Member companies have made a substantial investment in the ORR,” the letter explained.

While calling the lack of focus on the development of infrastructure on the ORR appalling, the letter said IT firms along the ORR generate $22 billion revenue annually, which is 32 percent of Bengaluru’s revenue, and that they were also the city’s highest tax contributors.

The letter added that as a reaction, member companies had to trigger emergency business continuity plans and work from home or pass on critical work to locations outside of Bengaluru and Karnataka, “thus causing reputational and economic damage to the city and the state.”

Government urged to act swiftly

The representative body pointed out that the government should come up with short-term and mid-term plans to address the infrastructural issues.

“These companies will seek alternate destinations if the situation does not improve,” the letter read.

The ORRCA suggested that the state government convene a joint coordination committee comprising all civic authorities — the Directorate of Urban Land Transport, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, and the Bangalore Traffic Police.

According to the ORRCA, the committee should be chaired by the additional chief secretary to monthly review the infrastructure improvement plan.