The double-engine government of Uttar Pradesh has intensified efforts to revive the glory of Ayodhya which got dimmed during the invasions of Arab-Muslim rulers and the era of British colonialism over nearly a thousand years.

Following the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, development work is underway in Ayodhya based on eight concepts, aiming to once again transform it into a city of unparalleled prosperity.

It is noteworthy that Ayodhya, once known as Amaravati of the earth and one of the sacred Saptapuris, is praised in many scriptures, including Vedas and Puranas. It is said that the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya was created by the deities themselves, and it was here that Maharaja Manu created the world of humans on Earth.

With the arrival of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre in 2014 and the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, the multifaceted development of Ayodhya was accelerated by outlining a blueprint. One after another, approximately 178 projects totaling around Rs 30.5 thousand crore have been initiated to develop Ayodhya into a world class city. The government’s commitment to transform Ayodhya into a city of global stature is now on the verge of realisation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, from the very first day, directed officials to base their work on eight concepts for the revival of the grandeur of Ayodhya. As a result, tangible progress is becoming evident.

The government is rapidly advancing the work of bringing Saketpuri, situated on Lord Vishnu’s wheel, to the surface in the forms of Sanskritik (Cultural) Ayodhya, Saksham (Capable) Ayodhya, Adhunik (Modern) Ayodhya, Sugmay (Accessible) Ayodhya, Surmay (Beautiful) Ayodhya, Bhawatmak (Emotional) Ayodhya, Swachh (Clean) Ayodhya and Ayushman (Healthy) Ayodhya.

Under the Sanskritik Ayodhya concept, Ayodhya is to be developed as the cultural capital of India. Activities such as establishing majestic monasteries, temples and ashrams, constructing grand city gates and undertaking projects like temple museums are being carried out based on this plan.

Under the Saksham Ayodhya concept, Ayodhya is being developed as a completely self-reliant city. It aims to create significant employment opportunities through daily jobs, tourism, religious and cultural activities.

Under the Adhunik Ayodhya concept, this sacred city is now being transformed into a modern city with various amenities. Initiatives like Smart City, Safe City, Solar City and Greenfield Township are shaping the city in line with these thoughts.

Under the Sugmay Ayodhya concept, be it the construction of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport, the rejuvenation of Ayodhya Dham railway station or the work of connecting Saryu with the inland waterway, the Yogi government is making every effort to make Ayodhya easily accessible. Moreover, devotees can reach this sacred city conveniently through various routes.

Under the Surmay Ayodhya concept, whether it is the beautification of various ponds, lakes and ancient reservoirs in the temple city, the rejuvenation of old gardens, the construction of new ones, or even the enhancement of the city’s charm through heritage lighting systems that liberate the city from the entanglement of wires is underway. The idea is to illuminate the streets with façade lighting and develop Ayodhya as an enchanting city through various such initiatives.

Under the Bhawatmak Ayodhya concept, the emotional connection of the entire world’s Sanatani with the birthplace of Lord Shri Rama is profound. In this context, every bit of Ayodhya will reflect the feeling of being connected to Shri Ram. Keeping this in view, the city walls, roadsides and intersections are being culturally equipped.

Under the Swachh Ayodhya initiative, developing Ayodhya as a clean, smart city is the top priority of the Yogi government. Unprecedented efforts are being made in the city, ranging from cleanliness to the development of drainage and sewer systems. The chief minister has already committed to transforming Ayodhya, which is evolving as the centre of tourism and religious faith, into the cleanest city in the country.

Under the Ayushman Ayodhya concept, the health infrastructure of Ayodhya has already been strengthened to provide quality and convenience-based medical facilities to the patients. The Rajarshi Dashrath Medical College is one of the five medical colleges in the country run by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where large-scale research work is also being done on emergency medical facilities.