Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited Kwun Tong to inspect the newly completed Yue Man Square Public Transport Interchange which will begin operation on April 2.

As one of the important facilities of the Urban Renewal Authority's (URA) Kwun Tong Town Centre redevelopment project, it will be the largest covered public transport interchange in Hong Kong.

There is a bus terminus on the first floor of the project’s podium and a minibus terminus on the ground floor, with multiple entrances and exits that connect to the shopping arcade and streets nearby.

Mrs Lam said she was pleased to note that the new interchange has leveraged various innovative and smart elements, including separating pedestrians and vehicles in setting up Hong Kong's first air-conditioned waiting area and the artificial intelligence-operated gate control system at the bus terminus.

Together with the installation of smart ventilation facilities at the minibus terminus researched and developed by local enterprises, the new facility will provide a better waiting environment and convenience for passengers.

To tie in with the Government’s policy in promoting electric vehicles, minibus charging facilities will be provided at the minibus terminus.

The Kwun Tong Town Centre redevelopment project is the URA's biggest redevelopment, with the site, spanning more than 50,000 sq m, involving more than 1,600 private property titles and 3,000 residents. The total development cost amounts to tens of billions of dollars.

The redevelopment area held a number of facilities providing public services including government offices and a health centre which required appropriate reprovisioning during the redevelopment period.

The relocation of a Chinese banyan tree which had stood on Yuet Wah Street for several decades also took tremendous effort.

Taking into account the huge size of the project, the URA adopted a planning-led and district-based approach in taking it forward.

Capitalising on the redevelopment opportunities, the authority has replanned the traffic routes, pedestrian facilities and green and leisure spaces to create a more people-oriented community and bring greater benefits to residents.

Mrs Lam said that during her tenure as Secretary for Development, she supervised the project and conducted several site visits to inspect its progress, including viewing the Chinese banyan tree's relocation at midnight in May 2011.

Noting that the project has been in progress for more than 10 years and the facilities in various phases have been commissioned gradually, the Chief Executive added that it is an extremely arduous project and is expected to be fully completed by 2029-30.

She also pointed out that the project has not only improved the living environment of residents in an old district, but has also transformed Kwun Tong into a more liveable and work-friendly district, adding colour to the Energizing Kowloon East project.

Mrs Lam also viewed the new Civil Service College site nearby where she was briefed by Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip and Director of Architectural Services Winnie Ho on the project design.

The Chief Executive announced in the 2018 Policy Address that a site in Kwun Tong had been identified for composite development to build two blocks to house the Civil Service College and other civil service facilities as well as to provide social welfare and community facilities.

The composite development will also provide elevated walkways, public open space and a landscaped deck to enhance walkability in the area.

If funding for the project is approved next year, it can be completed in phases from the end of 2026.