Ayodhya, the spiritual heart of India, is set to witness a landmark moment with the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22, and preparations are in full swing, not just for the temple but also for the city’s infrastructure. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the first phase of the international airport, renamed the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport, will be operational by December 15, well ahead of the temple’s inauguration.
The airport’s transformation represents the rapid progress of Ayodhya, with Chief Minister Adityanath highlighting its emergence as “an epitome of New India,” in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for the nation.
During his visit to the airport site alongside Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh, Adityanath emphasized the city’s growth and the government’s commitment to its development. Initially spanning a modest 178 acres, Ayodhya’s airport is undergoing a massive expansion, now occupying 821 acres of land. The Airport Authority of India is overseeing the project, which is progressing swiftly to meet the city’s growing needs.
Key details of the airport’s development include a 65,000-square-foot terminal in the first phase, capable of handling 2-3 flights per hour. The ongoing construction also involves a 2,200-meter runway, accommodating aircraft like the Boeing 737, Airbus 319, and Airbus 320. Future plans encompass extending the runway to 3,700 meters in the second phase, enabling larger aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777 to land directly in Ayodhya. The terminal’s eventual area will span an impressive 5 lakh square feet.
Minister Scindia emphasized the airport’s significance in reflecting Ayodhya’s rich cultural heritage, ensuring that the airport remains a testament to the city’s ethos.
As the city prepares for the momentous Ram Temple inauguration, the development of the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport stands as a testament to Ayodhya’s transformation, promising enhanced connectivity and infrastructure for residents and visitors alike.
Sources By Agencies
