Flood In Bengaluru's ORR Cost Rs 225 Cr, Companies Will Leave If Infrastructure Not Improved: ORRCA
The Outer Ring Road Companies Associations (ORRCA), an industry body that represents all major IT and banking companies on the Outer Ring Road stretch in Bengaluru has claimed that the recent floods in the city have resulted in a loss of Rs 225 crore to various firms there.
In a letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, on Thursday the ORRCA urged the government to come up with short-term and mid-term plans in order to address the infrastructural issues.
Economic and reputational damage
¡°Flooding on ORR on August 30 has led to a loss of Rs 225 crore as staff were stuck on the road for more than 5 hours. Inadequate infrastructure on ORR has now reached a crisis level. Even though only 30% of ORR population has returned to working from office, the collapse of the infrastructure has drawn global concern on the city of Bengaluru¡¯s ability to handle further growth. Member companies have made a substantial investment on the ORR,¡± the letter said.
It said that 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.?
ORR IT generates revenue of $22 Billion??
The ORRCA pointed out that more than half a million professionals are employed along the 17 km stretch of ORR between Central Silk Board and KR Puram corridor and close to one million people are indirectly employed there, generating a revenue of $ 22 billion per annum.
¡°ORR IT generates revenue of $22 Billion per annum (32% of Bengaluru¡¯s revenue) and is the highest tax contributor, however the lack of focus on development of the infrastructure in this corridor is appalling,¡± the letter said.
If the infrastructure issues in Bengaluru are not addressed, the companies may seek alternate destinations, the letter said.
Government under fire
The unprecedented response comes amid mounting criticism of the government and the BBMP from various corners after the Karnataka capital was once again flooded due to overnight rains on August 29 and 30.
Under fine for poor flood management, the Karnataka government said it had decided to "mercilessly" remove properties blocking rainwater flow.
¡°Our Municipal Corporation officers have identified 10 bottlenecks. In a day or two, the demolition drive will start. We have told the officers to be merciless while implementing the drive without attending to any phone calls," Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said on Wednesday.
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