Bengaluru: One of Bengaluru’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, KR Pura Tin Factory Junction, could finally be in line for a comprehensive makeover, with Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda directing officials to prepare a master plan for its holistic redevelopment.During an inspection of the junction Saturday as part of the second phase of the Ward One campaign, the minister instructed officials to draw up a people-centric and pedestrian-friendly plan that addresses traffic movement, public transport integration, footpaths, road geometry and commuter convenience.The junction serves as a critical gateway connecting KR Pura with Whitefield, ITPL, Marathahalli and the city’s eastern suburbs while also handling traffic entering Bengaluru from the outskirts. The convergence of multiple traffic streams, ongoing Metro construction and increasing commuter volumes have made it one of the city’s most congested intersections.The minister also stressed the need to improve pedestrian connectivity around the junction, especially for commuters shifting between different modes of transport. Road widening, scientific redesign of traffic movements and provision of free-left turns wherever feasible should also be incorporated into the plan, he said.Calling for coordinated action, Byre Gowda directed GBA, BMRCL and other stakeholders to jointly prepare the master plan. Urban planning organisations Janaagraha and Agra Indians have also been asked to contribute.He expressed concern over the condition of roads around the junction, many of which have been damaged due to ongoing Metro and K-Ride works. Officials were instructed to ensure that roads are restored immediately after civil works are completed.According to Byre Gowda, around 90% of the works across 43 wards identified in the first phase of the the Ward One campaign have already been completed, while the second phase has now been launched in around 40 wards across the city.Ward One Drive by numbers1,035 potholes filled across Bengaluru564 black spots cleared598 tonnes of garbage removed from black spots1,542 debris dumps cleared, with 1,965 tonnes of debris removed52.7km of footpaths repaired720 encroachments removed from footpaths57 junctions improved56.8km of roadside drains and 10.2km of stormwater drains desilted300 new streetlights installed and 783 streetlights repaired300 public complaints resolved on the spotPolitical Sparring Overshadows Civic DriveA routine civic inspection at Tin Factory Junction briefly turned political after supporters of the BJP and Congress started making accusations over development works in the KR Pura constituency. The exchange escalated into a verbal spat involving BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj and former Congress MLC Narayanaswamy, with both sides arguing over road conditions and utilisation of development funds. While Basavaraj alleged that residents raising civic concerns were being targeted, Krishna Byre Gowda said political differences should not distract from the larger goal of addressing public infrastructure issues.
