BENGALURU: The concept of staggered timings for the IT industry is not feasible in the city as several companies work with overseas clients. The work hours and weekly offs are according to the timelines of multinational corporations, said M C Dinesh, president of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).
The Bengaluru traffic police had recently asked IT companies to stagger work hours to decongest traffic during peak hours in IT corridors, especially in Electronics City, Whitefield, Hosur Road and Outer Ring Road.
Speaking to Express, Dinesh said suggestions like staggered timings, work-from-home concept and weekly offs on different days will not reduce congestion and pollution level of the city. “The timings of the companies cannot be changed beyond a point as the work hours is dependent on overseas clients”
“One way to decongest the city is to expand the area of Bengaluru, at least till Tumakuru. ‘Bengaluru’ is a global brand. The government can consider the idea of a ‘Greater Bengaluru’ to reduce congestion. The present area of Bengaluru is much less than that of developed cities abroad,” he felt.
“The government should also ensure drinking water, electricity, land, transport connectivity, educational and recreational facilities in the expanded areas, which will eventuality attracts companies. This will encourage people to relocate from the core areas of the city to the outskirts which will reduces traffic congestion,” he suggested.
The FKCCI chief said car pooling will not work in Indian cities . “What we need is a mass rapid transport system to de-congest the city.”
Dinesh said there should be uniform road tax in the country on the lines of GST to promote tourism. “At present, there are different tax rates in different states. Some states are also imposing heavy taxes on vehicles coming from outside which will affect the tourism industry and also hamper free movement,” he said.