Bengaluru CEO Slams Traffic, Nara Lokesh Invites Firm to Vizag

Bengaluru’s infrastructure troubles once again came into focus after the CEO of logistics tech firm BlackBuck raised concerns about traffic and poor road conditions in the city.

BlackBuck’s CEO, Rajesh Yabaji, shared on social media that commuting for his employees has become unbearable, with an average of over 1.5 hours spent on one-way travel. He pointed out potholes, dust, and the lack of seriousness in fixing these issues. Yabaji also revealed that the company would soon vacate its Bellandur office on the Outer Ring Road, which had been their base for nine years.

Reacting to this, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh made an interesting offer. He invited BlackBuck to move operations to Visakhapatnam, highlighting the city’s strengths. Lokesh said Vizag ranks among India’s cleanest cities, has safe conditions for women, and is building world-class infrastructure.

However, BlackBuck later clarified that while it is leaving the Bellandur office, the company is not quitting Bengaluru altogether. They are only shifting to a different part of the city.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru officials admitted that infrastructure in tech corridors is under severe stress. Rapid population growth, metro works, and road-widening hurdles have worsened traffic congestion. While some repairs are being done, civic authorities say more cooperation is needed to solve the long-standing issues.

This exchange between the BlackBuck CEO and Nara Lokesh has now fueled fresh debate, with Andhra Pradesh openly trying to woo companies frustrated by Bengaluru’s civic problems.