Bangalore: Aptly termed Jayanagar’s consin – J.P. Nagar – an unobtrusive village has now turned into a bustling hub. Sarakki village as it was once known; JP Nagar has the right blend of tradition, modernity and development.

The boundary of JP Nagar starts after Raghavender Swamy mutt in Jayanagar fifth block and stretches all the way till Puttenahalli. In the early 1980s, the erstwhile sarakki was a vast expanse of vacant lands, with very few houses. Once upon a time, it was also an agricultural belt. Vegetables and greens that are still grown in hamlets that are adjacent to JP Nagar.

Development of the layout has taken place at a fast pace with the area accommodating the spill-over of Jayanagar. The demography of JP Nagar has changed over the last decade in such a way that it has become a self-contained area –housing a host of educational institutions, IT companies, food marts, Banks, Hospitals and commercial complexes. With the government putting J.P. Nagar in the proposed IT corridor map, the influx of software firms has been unhindered.

The proximity of J.P. Nagar to Electronic City through the Ring Road has also been one of the important reasons for its growth, due to which property values have also shot up- it ranges between Rs 1,800 Per Sqft and Rs 2,200 Per Sqft.

J.P.Nagar is dotted with parks, thanks to the Bangalore City Corporation taking up development of parks two years ago. The area is also blessed with good civic amenities- good garbage collection, litter-free roads and fairly good water supply.

But the residents have their share of prombles. With the development comes chaos. Traffic has increased by leaps and bounds and roads are perennially clogged with vehicles. Illegal commercial establishments have sprung up adding to parking problems.

The lasted feather in the area’s cap is Ranga Shankara, an artist’s dream. With this theatre, the cultural life of JP Nagar is expected to undergo a transformation.

Despite shortcomings, JP Nagar will continue to be Bangalore’s upscale locality.