The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Premji makes veiled criticism of state of Bangalore roads

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 19, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Premji makes veiled criticism of state of Bangalore roads

Special Correspondent

Says he wants to avoid controversy

Azim Premji

Bangalore: Wipro Chairman Azim Premji on Wednesday made a veiled criticism of the poor road infrastructure in Bangalore, but said he would not be drawn into a controversy on the issue.

At the outset, Mr. Premji thanked presspersons "for making it to the press conference" called to announce the company's third quarter financial results at its headquarters on Sarjapur Road on the outskirts of Bangalore.

"Thank you for making it to the press conference, travelling on Sarjapur roads," he said tongue-in-cheek.

Infrastructure bottlenecks

He said that many cities were attempting to fix infrastructure bottlenecks.

"Chennai and Hyderabad are investing heavily in infrastructure," he noted.

When asked whether his comments pertained to Bangalore as well, Mr. Premji said he did not want to make any controversial statements.

"That is why I have invited you (journalists) here to see for yourself the condition of the roads. You are much more powerful on highlighting these issues than many of us," he said, evoking laughter from presspersons.

Mr. Premji also refused to be drawn into a controversy on Wipro's application to secure land from the State Government for expanding its facilities in the city.

Government land

"Our application to the State Government for more land is pending with them and still holds good," Suresh Senapathy, Chief Financial Officer, Wipro Limited, said after Mr. Premji noted that Wipro should not come out with any controversial statements regarding this sensitive issue that had driven a wedge between the State Government and the IT industry.

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