The stretch of the Kallang River between Bishan Road and Braddell Road hardly looks inviting now, being just a concrete canal.

But by the end of 2018, this 1.8km stretch will be turned into a picturesque area with a cascading stream, rocks and viewing decks.

The river improvement project comes under the PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme and was unveiled yesterday by Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Wong Kan Seng.

The river's look will be refreshed in four ways, starting with a 100m stretch at Bishan Road, where canal walls will be greened using planters and creepers, said the PUB.

This leads to a 410m-long stream that meanders its way around the planter islands within the channel.

Following this, the stream widens and passes over a series of cascades to meet a permanent body of water.

Cantilevered decks along this 910m stretch of Kallang River will allow allow residents to get closer to the water.

The PUB said: "Together with the enhancement works, this section of the river will be deepened and widened as part of drainage improvement works to cater to more intense storms."

A community deck and seating will be added to bring residents and park connector users nearer to the waterway, PUB said.

As part of the makeover, PUB and the National Parks Board will also be jointly developing the Kallang Linear Park along the river, between Bishan Stadium and Block 165, Bishan Street 13.

The ABC Waters Programme was started in 2006 to spruce up water bodies here.

Adrian Lim