Agara, Bangalore

Agara is one of the known housing developments in the western suburbs of Bangalore. The acronym for the group is Army Group Royal Artillery Maiden, or AGARAM for short. The area is well-connected to Koramangala, the HSR Layout, and the Outer Ring Road. It is well-known for its famous Agara Lake, and its rural parts have a moderate population count. 

Tourists visit Agara to see the renowned Oriyan temple, Jagannath Swami Temple, and Ayyappa Temple. The British withdrew their force from Sreerangapattana and relocated to Bangalore. It served as one of South Asia's largest army cantonment areas during the British era. Madras Engineer Group had its headquarters in Agara.

Agara has recently seen both single-family homes and mid-rise structures. The area is known for the massive Hanuman statue by the Outer Ring Road and the Puri Jagannath Temple. The easy access to public and private transportation for several housing projects in Agara is a major contributing factor.

The locality is a rapidly developing residential area. Its growth is marked by continuously rising construction, swiftly adopting urban standards. A well-established educational and medical infrastructure network and up-to-date amenities make it a comfortable locality for families with children. An interconnected network of roads makes daily commutes within Agara easier for its residents. Recreational amenities like shopping complexes, fast food chains, and other entertainment options are slowly but steadily coming up in this locality. 

What’s Good v/s What Needs ImprovementWhat is good about Agara:

• It is a developing locality with many residential areas offering affordable properties.
• Frequent and regular public transport services are easily available, including BMTC buses, auto-rickshaws, and cabs.
• Kempegowda International Airport is just 27 km away from this place.
• The education system has been carefully catered to as the area has multiple brilliant schools and renowned colleges.
• Major healthcare facilities, i.e., hospitals and medical stores, are just minutes away.

What Can Be Improved in Agara:

• Getting drinking water is a great issue as there is an acute shortage in the localities due to the poor and declining groundwater levels.
• Internal roads are distorted due to the various reasons for construction, leading to minor accidents.
• Cases of theft and loot have been rapidly increasing in the area. 
• There have been major traffic congestions at some point around the Ramamurthynagar Underpass, which must be taken care of.
• The garbage disposal is inappropriate, accumulating garbage in huge piles around Agara Lake and hampering its serenity and beauty.

Physical Infrastructure and Livability Index

Agara is distinguished by a physical infrastructure that is constantly expanding to accommodate the needs of its expanding populace. Regarding accessibility, the village is connected to neighbouring centres via major expressways, and regional roads make movement inside it easier. The public transit system improves daily, making it easier to utilise buses and autorickshaws for intra and inter-city travel. 

Agara, being a residential area, frequently experiences an increase in buildings. Its real estate portfolio comprises multi-storey apartments, and essential services like power and water are usually dependable. The primary and high school levels make up Agara's educational infrastructure. Yet, a shortage of reputable institutions in the area means that residents would rather travel to neighbouring cities for university-level study. 

Social Infrastructure- Restaurants

Certain groups of people who are fond of making their evenings delightful in Agara often enjoy outdoor dining activities. Here are some famous restaurants in and around Agara -

• Broadway - The Gourmet Theatre
• Kabab Magic
• Nandas
• Tapri Junction
• Fairmount Multi-cuisine restaurant
• Healthy Quesch Organic Juices
• Ibus Tea and Juice

Banks/Metro Station/Airport/Bus Terminals/Railway Stations/ParksBanks & ATMs

• State Bank of India
• Corporate Bank
• Axis Bank
• HDFC Bank and ATM
• IDFC FIRST Bank 

Railway Stations

• Hejjala Railway Station - 5 km
• Kenjeri Railway Station - 5 km
• Jnana Bharti Railway Station - 7 km
• Nayandahalli Railway Station - 7 km

Metro Stations

• Agara Lake Metro Station
• Jayaprakash Metro Station
• Yelachenanalli Metro Station
• Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road Metro Station
• Banashankari Metro Station
• Jayanagar Metro Station

Bus Terminals

• Agara Bus Stand
• Deport - 25 Bus Stand
• 14th Main HSR Layout
• BMTC Bus Stop

Airport 

• Kempegowda International Airport - 52 km

Parks 

• Agara Park 

Popular Roads in Agara

14th Main Road: Connecting the neighbourhoods to Agara, this road finds its way through Agara Lake, ending on the main highway - NH 44. This road distinguishes Jhakkasandhra from Agara, wherein the former lies to the east of the road and the latter lies to the west.

NH 44: The longest and the main expressway in India, which is at the periphery of Agara. The Agara Jagannath Swami Temple and the huge statue of Hanuman lie on this route. 

Outer Ring Road: A well-defined, spacious road connecting the village's internal streets. The road leads its passengers to the Freedom Park view and soothes your eyes by travelling from the east of Agara Lake.

Jakkasandhra Cross Road: This road can be travelled from Agara to Jakkasandhra. This merges to be collectively called the 14th Main Road. The road makes commuting easy and quick.

Nearby Locality to Agara

Locality	Distance from Agara	Travel Time	Cab Fare
Jakkasandhra Extension	1.5 km	5 mins	₹100 - 200
Teacher’s Colony HSR Layout	2.8 km	10 min	₹150 - 250
Sector 4 HSR Layout	1.3 km	5 mins	₹100 - 200
SBI Colony Koramangala	3.5 km	10 min	₹170 - 220
PWD Quarters	2.4 km	7 mins	₹150 - 200

How Do People Rate Agara 

Regarding the quality of life provided in Agara, inhabitants have differing opinions. The location's great connectivity to nearby areas is a major plus. Reasonably priced housing alternatives, well-designed social infrastructure, and ongoing development initiatives contribute to the community's ability to keep its residents. On the contrary, Agara's drawbacks include a need for more contemporary conveniences and prestigious educational institutions. As a result, it received a 4 out of 5 star rating.

How to Visit Agara

People from different states can comfortably visit Agara via the following road, rail and air routes: 

By Road:

Visitors from different parts of India can ensure they catch the NH 44 to reach Agara. Once they are at the periphery of Agara, the Outer Ring Road and 14th Main Road will roam and divert you around the whole city, connecting to various internal roads. 

By Train:

The Hejjala Railway Station (5 km) and Kenjeri Railway Station (5 km) are the two closest railway stations to Bengaluru’s Agara. For the rest, there is metro connectivity for you to move around (Agara Lake Metro Station)

By Air:

Kempegowda International Airport is located in Bengaluru, 52 kilometres away. Once you reach the airport, it might only take you 1.5 hours to reach Agara by a cab.

Places to Visit Around Agara

Agara is surrounded by several exciting family getaways. Here is a look at some of the most popular places around the locality. 

Shri Jagannath Swami Temple:

It is one of the major attractions located on the periphery of Agara. It can be easily accessible as it is on NH 44. It is a 10th-century hilltop temple, worshipping Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra. Here, the Annual Rath Yatra Chariot Festival begins, with over 15 thousand devotees joining the lively celebration. People worldwide gather to witness the serene spectacle as the lords embark on their procession.

Agara Lake:

Another main attraction situated in the heart of Agara is the Agara Lake. It is a mesmerising destination that can leave spectators in awe of the blue waters of the lake. There are a thousand people who visit this place daily.

Hanuman Statue:

The iconic statue of Lord Hanuman, standing at the periphery of NH 44 in Agara, attracts many people who visit Agara. It is not only famous for its height of 102 meters but also because it is the tallest temple in Banglore.

Locality Comparison of Agara 

Agara offers a slower, more tranquil way of life with an overwhelming sense of brotherhood among its members. Agara is also excellent in terms of affordability. Some of its surrounding communities, such as Sector 4 HSR Layout and PWD Quarters, may provide a comparatively more developed lifestyle with better-maintained roads, well-established utility services, and easier access to high-quality medical and educational facilities. Another nearby community, Teachers' Colony, provides a semi-urban setting, which creates a sense of equilibrium. Nonetheless, many nearby communities face similar issues, including dirty air and heavy traffic.

Key Takeaways

Agara in Bangaluru is moving towards a semi-urban way of life. Located on the periphery of NH 44, the village is making consistent infrastructural progress to offer its residents better living standards. The locality’s strongest pillar is its easy connectivity to the other parts of Bengaluru. Along with the tradition followed every year of the Annual Rath Yatra Chariot Festival to daily developments, this transformational phase of the village is trying to shift from rural settings to urban expansions. The roads, utilities, and public services showcase good signs of future development. Looking ahead, Agara is geared up for a positive uplift.