Ayodhya to be the biggest religious tourist centre with Rs 32,000 crore projects

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – Presently, projects worth Rs 32,000 crore are underway in Ayodhya. The Government is planning to make Ayodhya the biggest religious tourist centre in the world. A meeting was held in this context by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on 5th September 2023 with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Ayodhya’s Commissioner and District Collector.

Airport, under construction, to cost Rs 320 crore

‘Maryada Purushottam Shriram International Airport’ is being built in Ayodhya which will cost Rs 320 crore. The airport is being constructed in two phases. It will take fifteen minutes to reach Shriram Mandir from this airport. A bus stand is also under construction in Ayodhya on nine acres of land, costing Rs 219 crore. People coming by their private vehicles will be able to park the vehicles about 1–1 and 1/2 kilometres away from the ‘Janmabhoomi’ and will be able to reach the temple by e-rickshaws.

Ayodhya Junction to cost Rs 230 crore

Ayodhya Junction (for road and railway) is being built at a cost of Rs 230 crore. A new huge station is under construction, along with its building on about 10,000 sq. metres of land. The new station will have 24 mineral water kiosks at its three platforms, around 150 steel benches for passengers, air-conditioned waiting rooms, and deluxe and modern executive lounges. There are three ways to reach the Shriram temple; if coming from Varanasi, one has to go to Ayodhya Junction; to Ayodhya Cantt if coming from Lucknow, and to Ramghat if coming from Gorakhpur. Ram Mandir is only 800 metres away from Ayodhya Junction; nine kilometres from Ayodhya Cantt, and 3 kms from Ramghat.

Plan to build 20 five-star hotels

There is a plan to build 20 five-star hotels in Ayodhya, including renowned groups like Taj Hotels. ‘Vivanta’ is planning to build a hotel with a capacity of 100 rooms, while ‘Ginger’ group with 120 rooms. Even Radisson and the ‘OYO’ group are planning to build luxury hotels.

12 crore devotees are expected to visit every year

The number of tourists and devotees has doubled since the construction of Shriram Mandir was started; therefore, the local Government officers expect one crore devotees to visit this temple per month, i.e. 12 crores per year.

Editorial Viewpoint

The Union and State Governments should try to develop Ayodhya as an international centre for imparting knowledge about Hindu Dharma, rather than considering developing it only as a religious tourist centre, since that would help to preserve and protect Hindu Dharma and its religious traditions.