Rajesh Yabaji, CEO of the logistics-tech unicorn BlackBuck, announced the company’s decision to shut its Bellandur office on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) after nine years, blaming the move on worsening infrastructure and unbearably long commutes.
The average one-way commute for BlackBuck employees now reportedly exceeds 1.5 hours through pothole-ridden, dusty roads, with the CEO expressing little hope for improvement in the next five years.
This decision has sparked widespread debate about Bengaluru’s rapid urbanisation failing to keep pace with infrastructure development, raising serious questions about the city’s ability to retain its prized business ecosystem.
Crumbling Roads and Endless Commutes
The stretch of Bengaluru’s ORR where Bellandur lies is infamous as one of the city’s busiest IT corridors, hosting over 500 companies and nearly a million professionals.
Despite generating significant revenue for the city, it faces severe congestion and deteriorating road conditions, including massive potholes and widespread dust pollution. Rajesh Yabaji described the Bellandur location as “our office + home for nine years” but now “very-very hard to continue here.” He highlighted that the roads are “full of potholes and dust” with the “lowest intent” from authorities to address these issues.
BlackBuck’s move is only for the Bellandur office, as the company affirmed it is actively seeking alternative locations within Bengaluru rather than exiting the city entirely.
Government Response and Industry Pulse
The announcement intensified calls for government action on Bengaluru’s infrastructure crisis. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded by allocating Rs 1,100 crore for road repair and promising a pothole-free city by November.
He urged officials to submit strict timelines and involve the public in monitoring repairs. Despite such assurances, commuters continue to face persistent traffic snarls and road hazards on the ORR, prompting some to question the effectiveness of government measures.
Industry leaders including former Infosys CFO T.V. Mohandas Pai and Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw sharply criticised the local government’s failure to maintain safe and reliable infrastructure, warning it jeopardises Bengaluru’s reputation as India’s tech capital.
Andhra Pradesh Extends a Business Invitation
Seizing the opportunity, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh publicly invited BlackBuck to relocate to Visakhapatnam, positioning the city as a safer, cleaner alternative with ongoing infrastructure development.
He highlighted Visakhapatnam’s ranking among India’s top cleanest cities and its reputation as a safe city for women. This invitation underscores the emerging risk that Bengaluru’s infrastructure challenges could drive away businesses and talent to other states offering better civic amenities and quality of life.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
BlackBuck’s exit from one of Bengaluru’s most important IT corridors is more than a business setback; it is a wake-up call on the direct consequences of civic neglect. The crisis of potholes and traffic congestion is not just an inconvenience but a fundamental threat to the safety and dignity of commuters and employees.
While government promises to repair roads are encouraging, what matters is steady, accountable follow-through that protects citizens and fosters a thriving business environment. Bengaluru, once a beacon of India’s startup ecosystem, cannot afford to let its success be undermined by crumbling infrastructure and poor governance.
ORR (Bellandur) has been our “office + home” for the last 9 years. But it’s now very-very hard to continue here. 💔
— Rajesh Yabaji (@YABAJI) September 16, 2025
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…
Hi Rajesh, can I interest you in relocating your company to Vizag? We are rated among top 5 cleanest cities in India, are building best-in-class infra, and have been rated the safest city for women. Please send me a DM. https://t.co/HLfP2CVTys
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) September 17, 2025
