Krishna Byre Gowda paints a flyover pillar at Silk Board Junction to launch the Ward One campaign. Photo: GBA.
Bengaluru: A possible free-left turn for vehicles travelling from Electronic City towards BTM Layout is to be examined as part of a wider plan for Central Silk Board Junction. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed officials to assess installing a steel grid over the stormwater drain to enable the movement, along with a pedestrian walkway beside the drain.
The traffic proposal was among a series of directions issued during his inspection on Saturday, October 31. He also sought faster work on a 60-metre stormwater drain, a new drain towards HSR Layout and public amenities beneath the flyover.
Byre Gowda symbolically launched the Ward One campaign at the junction by initiating the painting of its flyover pillars. The campaign covers 43 wards across the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
60-metre drain and HSR Layout flooding
Officials were told to speed up the ongoing 60-metre major stormwater drain project, which includes installing 30 girders spaced two metres apart. The minister directed them to finish the reinforced cement concrete retaining wall at the earliest and begin placing the girders immediately afterwards.
He also called for a new drain to be planned from Silk Board Junction towards HSR Layout to address waterlogging and flooding during heavy rain. As B-SMILE is taking up white-topping on the stretch, he instructed officials to coordinate the drainage construction with the road work.
During the inspection, Byre Gowda noticed sewage entering the major stormwater drain and questioned Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials. According to the GBA, he expressed dissatisfaction with their explanations and said spending on measures to prevent sewage discharge had not brought a significant reduction in the flow. He called for effective action to stop it.
Public space beneath the flyover
The plan for the space below the flyover includes seating, kerbstones and lighting that does not inconvenience road users or pedestrians. A throwball court is being developed, while table tennis and other recreational facilities are to be explored.
Byre Gowda directed officials to develop vacant land beside the drain as a landscaped island with seating and shade. Areas with exposed soil should receive brush concrete flooring for easier cleaning and maintenance, he said.
He also instructed officials to take steps to construct a public toilet and improve footpaths so pedestrians can move safely and without interruption.
The junction has also been the focus of public-plaza work and directions to restore Metro-affected footpaths, reported earlier this week.
CGI is supporting the development beneath the flyover through its corporate social responsibility initiative in association with Bengaluru South City Corporation. India Rising Trust is handling the design and execution, using Mysuru Silk as the inspiration, the GBA said.
Permanent plan for the whole junction
Calling for a comprehensive plan rather than piecemeal improvements, the minister instructed the Commissioner to earmark adequate funds for the junction’s development. He said the convergence of the flyover, Metro, Electronic City corridor, Outer Ring Road and NHAI elevated road made it important to improve both traffic movement and the use of public space.
The corporation and voluntary organisations have already removed accumulated garbage and construction debris beneath the flyover and painted pillars, according to the GBA. The corporation has also undertaken road-surface repairs, pothole filling and the installation of dividers and barricades.
MLA Satish Reddy, Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, Bengaluru South City Corporation Commissioner Ramesh K.N., Additional Commissioner Naveen Kumar Raju, Joint Commissioner Satish Babu and Chief Engineers Basavaraj Kabade, Malathi and Rajesh attended, along with officials from BMRCL, BWSSB and other departments.
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