'Roads full of potholes, commutes stretched to 1.5+ hours': BlackBuck CEO on moving office out of Bengaluru

Logistics tech platform BlackBuck is moving its office out of Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road after nine years, citing worsening traffic and infrastructure issues.

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Co-founder and CEO Rajesh Yabaji, in a post on X, said that the average commute for employees had stretched to more than 90 minutes one way, with roads “full of potholes and dust, with little intent to fix them.” He added that he didn’t see any of this changing in the next five years.

"ORR (Bellandur) has been our “office + home” for the last 9 years. But it’s now very-very hard to continue here. We have decided to move out," he wrote.

ORR (Bellandur) has been our “office + home” for the last 9 years. But it’s now very-very hard to continue here. 💔

We have decided to move out.

Background:
- Average commute for my colleagues shot up to 1.5+ hrs (one way)
- Roads full of potholes & dust, coupled with lowest…

— Rajesh Yabaji (@YABAJI) September 16, 2025

According to data from the Outer Ring Road Companies Association and the Bengaluru Traffic Police, the surge in traffic comes as companies mandate in-office work after years of hybrid arrangements. The tech corridor from KR Puram to Silk Board employs 950,000 people across 500 companies and contributes 36% of Bengaluru’s annual IT revenue.

Originally built to divert heavy vehicles, the corridor has evolved into a dense hub of tech parks and housing, worsening congestion as firms push employees back to offices.

Yabaji’s post sparked strong reactions from netizens and even industry leaders. Infosys CFO and Aarin Capital chairman Mohandas Pai called the company’s decision a “big failure of governance in Bengaluru” and urged state authorities to act.

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw responded, “This is serious. Emergency measures needed to fix these issues.”

This is serious. Emergency measures needed to fix these issues @DKShivakumarhttps://t.co/naUSQchoqq

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) September 16, 2025

Krishna Kumar Gowda, general secretary of the Greater Bengaluru IT Companies & Industries Association, said the neglect of infrastructure along the corridor has become a critical concern. 

"The decision of leading firms to move out highlights the urgent need for government intervention. We call for a transparent roadmap to improve roads, metro connectivity and public utilities, and reiterate our willingness to collaborate with authorities to restore Bengaluru's status as the tech capital of India," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on September 14 that Rs 1,100 crore has been allocated for road repair and construction across the city.

"We are committed to ensuring every constituency benefits from these funds and to building smooth, pothole-free roads," he said.