Progress fueled by information technology is turning out to be a double-edged sword for Bangalore with its ever worsening traffic jams, poor sanitation, pot-holed roads and water shortage.

A commentary in the Nov. 1 issue of BusinessWeek by Josey Puliyenthuruthel said at least part of the problem can be attributed to the state government’s apathy. “Companies and citizen groups blame a non-responsive Karnataka state government for Bangalore’s worries. Within weeks after a new coalition government took office in May, work on urban development projects — $ 40 million worth of roads and overpasses — ground to a near halt,” he said.

Although the state government denies any anti-Bangalore bias, tech companies complain there is no attention being paid. “There is zero focus, no hand at the wheel,” Infosys chief executive Nandan M. Nilekani was quoted as saying.

The result of this neglect has been that companies have begun to shift part of their operations to Chennai and Kolkata. “We will grow at a faster rate outside Bangalore,” Wipro

chairman Azim Premji told a recent news conference.

The commentary said the influx into the city since 1995 has added a third to the city’s population causing strain on the services and infrastructure.