Ayodhya: As the city of Ayodhya prepares for the historic inauguration of the Ram temple on January 22, 2024, the Yogi government is making sure that the city is well-connected and equipped with all the facilities. One of the major projects undertaken by the government is the development of the Ayodhya airport, which has recently received the necessary ‘aerodrome’ license from the aviation regulator DGCA.
The airport, which is being developed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of approximately Rs 350 crore, will start its operations on January 6, 2024, with the first flight from Ayodhya to Delhi. The airport will also connect Ayodhya with Ahmedabad, with flights starting from January 11, 2024. The journey from Ahmedabad to Ayodhya will take only 1.15 hours, and there will be flights to Ahmedabad three days a week. The flight timetable will be released soon.
Vinod Kumar, Director of Shri Ram Airport, Ayodhya, said that the work of the airport is now in its final stage. “The runway and parking bay are completely ready. The building work is also in the final stage. At present the beautification work is going on. The DGCA team has gone for an inspection. Hopefully, soon we will get the license and flights will start. Indigo Airlines has also sent us its flight plan,” he said.
The license was given to AAI Chairman Sanjeev Kumar by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) Chief Vikram Dev Dutt. According to AAI, Ayodhya Airport has been granted an aerodrome license in the public use category for all weather conditions. “The airport has a 2,200-meter long runway with Aeronautical Ground Light (AGL) infrastructure,” AAI wrote on social media platform X. It is equipped with DVOR and Instrument Landing System (ILS), which allows the airport to operate flights at night and during low visibility/RVR 550 meters.
AAI also informed that the much-awaited Ayodhya airport will have a terminal building with an area of 6,500 square meters. It can handle 600 passengers at peak hours and 10 lakh passengers annually. The extended runway of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya has proved suitable for the operation of A-321/B-737-type aircraft.
The inauguration of the Ayodhya airport will be a boon for the pilgrims and tourists who want to visit the city and witness the grandeur of the Ram temple, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has decided to complete the construction work of the first floor of the temple by 31st December this year and inaugurate it on January 22 next year. The consecration of Ramlala will take place in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on the same day.
