Bengaluru: Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive master plan to redevelop KR Puram Tin Factory Junction, with a focus on pedestrian safety, seamless public transport connections and smoother traffic movement. He asked the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Metro officials and other agencies to work together so that one of Bengaluru’s busiest traffic hubs is developed as a people-friendly and pedestrian-friendly public space.
The directions came on November 7 when the Minister launched the second phase of the Ward One campaign near Tin Factory Junction, under the East City Corporation. He also inspected the junction and its surrounding roads with officials, reviewing problems caused by ongoing Metro and K-RIDE works, traffic congestion and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure.
Tin Factory Junction has become a major mobility bottleneck. Metro lines, the ongoing Blue Line construction and heavy traffic from KR Puram towards ITPL, Whitefield and Marathahalli all converge there, while vehicles entering the city from the outskirts and traffic on the ring road add to the congestion.
With lakhs of commuters using the junction every day, the Minister said its development must go beyond isolated road improvements and address the entire mobility system, so that pedestrians, bus commuters, Metro users and motorists can all move safely and conveniently. He directed officials to provide properly designed bus bays and bus stops, facilities for long-distance buses, smooth transfers between Metro and bus services, and convenient access for commuters arriving by autos, taxis and other modes.
Pedestrian movement must be central to the redevelopment plan, he said. Safe, uninterrupted footpaths should connect Metro stations, bus stops and other public transport facilities so that commuters can change modes without negotiating unsafe or obstructed stretches. He also asked officials to improve road curves, widen roads where necessary and scientifically redesign the junction, including measures such as free-left turns and other road engineering improvements.
Reviewing the impact of Metro and K-RIDE construction, the Minister noted that several connecting roads had been damaged and that some stretches lie at lower levels, leading to waterlogging during heavy rain. He directed the agencies concerned to restore roads affected by Metro works properly, take up repairs immediately after civil works are completed and reopen stretches to the public without avoidable delay. He also called for improvements to road levels, widening where required, fencing and junction design, and told Metro officials to prioritise public convenience, give accurate information on the status of works and complete pending works without delay.
The GBA will prepare the redevelopment plan with Metro authorities, Janaagraha and Agari Indians, covering roads, footpaths, public transport facilities, traffic management and beautification of the junction. The Minister said the required funds would be provided through the city corporation, with the aim of creating a junction that serves the lakhs of people who use it every day while improving safety, convenience and the urban environment.
The Minister said the Ward One campaign was launched on November 1 to tackle everyday civic and infrastructure problems at the ward level through coordinated action by all departments. The first phase covered 43 wards, with nearly 90 per cent of the identified works completed, and the second phase has now been launched in about 40 wards across Bengaluru.
Under the campaign, departments dealing with roads, footpaths, streetlights, drainage, BESCOM services, forests and horticulture are expected to work as one team. It focuses on local problems such as potholes, black spots, garbage accumulation, construction and demolition waste, damaged footpaths, junction improvements and desilting of drains.
Based on experience from the first phase, officials have indicated that at least a week may be needed in each ward to complete the work effectively. While the aim is to finish the campaign works within November, the Minister said quality should not be compromised to meet a deadline, and the campaign would continue into December if necessary.
“The objective of Ward One is not merely to announce numbers or publish statistics. It is to identify problems on the ground and resolve them. While some basic infrastructure issues may require more time, immediate and temporary problems must be addressed without delay. The quality of work and lasting solutions must remain the priority,” he said.
He directed officials to immediately clear garbage, branches and construction waste around Tin Factory Junction and to repair potholes on connecting roads within a week. He also asked them to prioritise issues raised by the local MLA and residents, and said he would revisit the area if required to review progress.
KR Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh, Additional Commissioner Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, Chief Engineers Lokesh and Vishwanath and other officials were present.
The GBA had earlier announced the plan for the second phase of the Ward One campaign.
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