A Bengaluru-based tech professional’s unconventional proposal to temporarily shut down major IT parks so the government can overhaul the city’s broken infrastructure has stirred a heated online debate.
The suggestion came from Amarnath Shivashankar, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) urging the Karnataka government to invoke Business Continuity Plans (BCP) — a corporate protocol typically used during emergencies — and instruct IT firms to switch to remote work for a few months.
“When IT companies on the Outer Ring Road, ITPL, Electronic City, Manyata Tech Park, Bagmane Tech Park, etc., went completely remote during Covid, they can do it again if the government mandates them to,” he wrote.
“Invoke the BCP, close the IT parks for a few months, fix the roads, rainwater drains, flyovers, and Metro construction. Fix Bengaluru once and for all.”
Shivashankar’s post, tagged to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Chief Minister’s Office, quickly went viral — tapping into a deep-seated frustration among Bengaluru’s citizens over persistent traffic chaos, flooding, and delayed infrastructure projects.
Public Response: Support and Skepticism
The idea drew mixed reactions online.
Many residents supported the concept, calling it a bold and creative solution:
- “Work from home till we fix the home. #FixBengaluru — maybe the city’s best infrastructure plan,” wrote one user.
- Another added, “This is how things should be done if the government is really serious about fixing the city.”
However, others pointed out practical and economic challenges:
- “We’re not in a global crisis now. Companies need their staff back in offices. Keeping empty campuses running still costs money,” one commenter wrote.
- Another highlighted ripple effects on local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and PG accommodations, which rely heavily on IT employees.
Some users also noted the broader economic consequences — from automobile sales and real estate rentals to international reputation risks — if IT parks were to close temporarily.
“It’s too much to ask to shut down IT parks. Roads can be fixed at night like in Chennai. Bengaluru needs efficient engineers and contractors, not closures,” one user remarked.
The Larger Context: Bengaluru’s Infrastructure Struggle
Bengaluru, India’s tech capital, has long grappled with poor urban planning, heavy traffic congestion, and frequent waterlogging despite being home to some of the world’s biggest IT and startup companies.
While several flyover and Metro projects are underway, slow execution and poor coordination between civic bodies continue to frustrate residents and businesses alike.
Shivashankar’s viral post reflects a growing sentiment among citizens demanding decisive action and a long-term vision for the city’s infrastructure — even if it means temporary disruption.
As the debate continues, his provocative call to “fix Bengaluru once and for all” has reignited discussion about accountability, governance, and urban reform in one of India’s fastest-growing cities.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
