Work From Home cancel from October 1: increase in traffic congestion

Work From Home cancel: Bengaluru is bracing for a significant increase in traffic congestion starting October 1, 2025. This is due to a large number of private companies, particularly those located along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), ending their work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid work models and mandating that employees return to the office full-time.

Many IT and tech companies have decided to make a full return to the office mandatory, citing concerns about productivity and a desire to bring teams back together. This decision will send thousands of employees back onto the city’s already-congested roads.

The influx of vehicles, especially private cars, is expected to worsen traffic on key routes. The Outer Ring Road (ORR), Sarjapur Road, and roads leading to Electronics City are specifically mentioned as areas where traffic snarls will likely intensify.

Even before this mandate, Bengaluru has been experiencing a gradual increase in traffic. Data from the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) shows a significant rise in vehicle entries to major tech parks in recent months, a trend that is expected to accelerate.

Employees and commuters have expressed widespread concern about the longer travel times and increased stress that will result from this change. There are also questions about whether the city’s traffic authorities have been adequately informed and are prepared to manage the increased volume of vehicles.

In response to general traffic issues, the Bengaluru Traffic Police have been implementing some measures, such as trial diversions and advising on alternative routes, but the effectiveness of these measures against a full-scale return to office is yet to be seen.

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