Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya on Saturday, December 30, 2023, to inaugurate the newly constructed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham and other development projects in the city. The airport, which was earlier named Shri Ram International Airport, has been renamed after the sage who composed the epic Ramayana.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station, which was formerly known as Ayodhya Junction. He will also flag off the new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains, which will connect Ayodhya with various destinations across the country. He will also dedicate many other railway projects to the nation, such as new tracks, bridges, stations, and signaling systems.
The Prime Minister will participate in a public program at around 12.15 pm, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore in the state. These projects include new roads, bridges, flyovers, bus terminals, hospitals, schools, colleges, museums, parks, gardens and other civic infrastructure. These projects are aimed at improving the connectivity, amenities, and aesthetics of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas.
The Prime Minister’s vision is to develop Ayodhya as a modern world-class city while preserving and showcasing its rich history and heritage. The city is revered as the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the setting of the Ramayana. The city is also home to many temples, shrines, ghats, and other places of religious and cultural significance.
The first phase of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,450 crore. The airport terminal building has an area of 6500 square meters, which will be ready to serve approximately 10 lakh passengers annually. The terminal building reflects the temple architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which is being constructed at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. The interiors of the terminal building are adorned with local art, paintings, and murals depicting the life of Lord Shri Ram and his devotees.
The terminal building of Ayodhya Airport is equipped with various facilities, such as an insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, landscaping with fountains, a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment plant, a solar power plant, and so on. The airport will have a runway of 3.5 km, which will enable the landing and take-off of wide-bodied aircraft. The airport will also have a cargo terminal, a fuel farm, a fire station, an air traffic control tower, and other ancillary facilities.
The name of Ayodhya Dham Railway Station was changed only yesterday, following the orders issued by the Railways on Wednesday. The name change was suggested by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who had inspected the station recently and expressed his desire to rename it. The station has been redeveloped with modern amenities and facilities, such as escalators, elevators, waiting rooms, lounges, food courts, book stalls, souvenir shops, and so on. The station has also been beautified with paintings, sculptures, and murals depicting the Ramayana and other aspects of Hindu culture.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya on Friday, a day before the Prime Minister’s visit, to review the preparations and arrangements for the inauguration ceremony. He will visit Hanumangarhi and Ram Janmabhoomi, the two most sacred sites in Ayodhya, and offer prayers. He will also inspect Ayodhya Dham Railway Station, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, and the public meeting place. He will also observe the route of the Prime Minister’s road show, which will pass through various landmarks and locations in the city.
