Bengaluru: IT industry raises concerns over recurring monsoon-related infrastructure failures

Unprecedented heavy rainfall over the past few days has disrupted operations across several IT companies in Bengaluru, highlighting the city’s persistent monsoon-related infrastructure challenges. Severe traffic jams, prolonged commute times, and widespread waterlogging have impacted tech corridors like Outer Ring Road and Whitefield, affecting employee mobility and productivity.

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According to industry estimates, nearly 25% of IT firms temporarily shifted to work-from-home models to ensure employee safety and maintain business continuity. However, recurring issues such as inadequate stormwater drainage and poor urban planning have once again come under scrutiny.

Krishna Kumar Gowda, Executive at the IT Companies Association, Bengaluru, noted that while many firms have internal contingency plans, the annual flooding and disruptions continue to cause "significant and avoidable losses" and inconvenience to thousands of employees. “There is growing concern about the frequency and intensity of these disruptions,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Bengaluru remains a top choice for tech companies due to its skilled workforce and dynamic ecosystem. However, Gowda acknowledged that repeated infrastructure failures, especially during the monsoon, could influence perceptions. “We cannot definitively comment on future investment sentiments as those are strategic decisions, but concerns are real,” he added.

The recent disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure solutions in India’s tech capital.