Central Silk Board Junction in Bengaluru is set for a coordinated upgrade covering traffic movement, drainage, sanitation, public amenities and the reuse of space beneath its flyovers, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said while launching the ‘Ward One’ campaign at the junction on Saturday.
The campaign is being conducted from November 1 across 43 wards under five city corporations. At Central Silk Board Junction, civic officials and voluntary organisations have already undertaken several improvement works, with the latest initiative placing major junctions among the campaign’s priorities.
Byre Gowda said a permanent plan would be prepared for the comprehensive development of the junction. The proposed works include improving traffic flow, beautifying the area and cleaning the spaces beneath the flyovers. Seating and facilities for recreational activities are also planned so that the under-flyover areas can be used by residents rather than remaining neglected transport infrastructure.
The minister instructed officials to develop vacant land beside the stormwater drain as an island-like public space, with seating and shade for citizens. He also directed them to install brush concrete in sections with exposed soil to improve cleanliness and to take steps to build a public toilet at the junction, which is used daily by thousands of commuters.
A key traffic intervention has been proposed on the route from Electronic City towards BTM Layout. Officials have been asked to install a steel grid over a section of the stormwater drain to support smoother vehicle movement and enable a free-left turn. The proposal links junction management with drainage infrastructure, an issue that can become more acute during heavy rain.
The area beneath the flyover is also being redesigned. Pillars are being painted and kerbstones are being installed, while seating is being added for public use. A throwball court is under construction, and officials have been instructed to provide facilities for table tennis and other activities. The works are intended to combine visual improvement with limited public use of space below the elevated road structure.
Drainage is another component of the proposed plan. To address problems on the stretch between Central Silk Board Junction and HSR Layout during rainfall, B-SMILE is undertaking white-topping work. Byre Gowda directed officials to take up construction of a new drain alongside that work.
The under-flyover redevelopment is receiving support from CGI under its corporate social responsibility initiative, in collaboration with the Bengaluru South City Corporation. The design and implementation of the ‘Mysuru Silk’ concept are being handled by India Rising Trust, a non-governmental organisation that, according to the minister, has already developed more than five flyover-underpass areas.
The announcement outlines multiple works at a junction where traffic management, stormwater drainage and public-space use overlap. The immediate next steps are the preparation of a permanent development plan, implementation of the proposed drainage and traffic interventions, and continuation of the public-space works under the Ward One campaign.
