With no proper drainage system, potholed roads for commuters, and little notice of streetlights until last year, Ayodhya now boasts a mapped sewerage system, world-class street lamps, and more than five flyovers to facilitate the citizens, as well as the lakhs of floating population, to get a glimpse of Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple with ease, comfort, and palpable convenience. To convey a sense of good administration, the uniformed personnel have been trained to be polite to visitors, as the birthplace of Lord Ram will host millions and millions of people from across the world in the coming days.

In its extra effort to beautify the holy city, the facades of all homes, shops, government and private building infrastructures have been done in the same pattern, particularly those lying adjacent to the roads and streets. While the entire electrical system has gone underground, the colour of the buildings’ facades is Pitambari (a yellow texture similar to the color of sandalwood). The expenses on remodeling and coloring of private properties have been undertaken by the government.

Another feature added for the convenience of visitors and the citizens of Ayodhya is that very soon the city will have its own City Bus Service for commuting, as it is all set to witness unprecedented growth in all spheres, especially in the hospitality and tourism sector. Small-time cab service operators have started augmenting their fleet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the city on Saturday to commission several projects ahead of the January 22 consecration of the Ram Temple.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reviewed projects, including the ground where PM Modi will be holding a rally on Saturday. He took a selfie after inspecting the ground where Modi will be holding a rally.

The CM offered prayers at the Ram Lalla temple and at the Hanumangarhi temple in the city, which has undergone immense beautification to host the visitors next month.

As planned, the voting to select the idol of Lord Ram Lalla from the three carved idols was conducted on Friday, and the ballots have been reserved to share the final decision at an appropriate time. The idol that wins the vote will be placed in the grand Ram Temple set to be unveiled for the people next month.

The voting took place at the meeting of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, where members voted to select one among three idols made by separate sculptors.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“All three designs, created by separate sculptors, were placed on the table. The idol that could garner the maximum votes will be installed at the consecration of the shrine on January 22,” said a committee source.

Earlier this week, Trust secretary Champat Rai said that a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram, reflecting a five-year-old Ram Lalla, would be selected from among three designs. “The one that exudes the best divineness and has a childlike look about it will be chosen,” he said.

Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra took stock of the ongoing construction work on the Ram Janmabhoomi Path and the complex on Thursday, along with the top official of the district, where Prime Minister Modi will be visiting on Saturday, December 30.