During his visit to Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated a soft drink bottling plant.

Speaking at the event, he pointed out that Ayodhya is attracting devotees from across the country and the world and the large gathering of pilgrims in the holy city is not just a sign of faith but also a source of livelihood for many.

“This faith is laying the foundation for economic growth. Our cultural heritage is becoming a driver of prosperity. The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh gave us a glimpse of this potential, and we must enhance facilities further to create new employment opportunities,” Chief Minister Yogi stated.

Before the event, the chief minister toured the plant, inspected its operations, and performed a ceremonial ritual before pressing the button to start the machines. The plant’s operators provided him with details about its capacity, processes, and key functions. He also planted a tree within the plant premises and also offered prayers at a temple located on the site.

The chief minister congratulated Amrit Bottlers Pvt. Ltd. for its investment in the new bottling plant. He highlighted the company’s growth, stating that what started as a small cold storage unit in 1983 has now evolved into a state-of-the-art facility, becoming a key supplier of soft drinks in North India.

“Development progresses in this way. When Mr Ladhani started this venture in 1983, he may not have imagined that Ayodhya would one day have an international airport,” Chief Minister Yogi remarked.

He further noted that today, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, four-lane highways, and robust air and road connectivity have transformed the city. He also revealed plans to develop an inland waterway from Ayodhya to Haldia via Sarayu and Ballia, which would further enhance trade and commerce in the region.

The chief minister recalled his visit to Amethi last year, where he inaugurated a beverage and bottling plant by the Ladhani family. He emphasised that this major investment created thousands of jobs, and now a similar initiative is taking shape in Ayodhya.

Describing Ayodhya as the capital of the Suryavansh dynasty, Chief Minister Yogi praised the double-engine government’s efforts in developing the city under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out that Ayodhya has been transformed into India’s first solar city, with the new bottling plant incorporating a 15 MW solar panel system to promote green energy. “This initiative will help reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable development,” he noted.

Chief Minister Yogi further stated that this plant will serve not only Eastern Uttar Pradesh but also Bihar and Uttarakhand, boosting employment opportunities in the region. He assured that the incentives promised under the memorandum of understanding with the Uttar Pradesh government would be provided on time, ensuring smooth operations and further expansion of the project.

The chief minister urged the Ladhani Group to expedite the construction of a hotel in Ayodhya, considering the large influx of pilgrims and tourists. He emphasised that hotels are now a necessity for the city to cater to the increasing number of visitors.

Recalling the group’s contribution during the consecration of Lord Ram’s temple, Chief Minister Yogi appreciated their efforts in installing water coolers and water ATMs to provide clean drinking water to devotees. “The public wants better facilities, and good hotels are essential. The current crowd clearly indicates that if facilities are provided, more pilgrims will visit,” he stated.

The chief minister also encouraged the group saying “the faster you proceed with the hotel construction in Ayodhya and your proposed investment in Gorakhpur, the sooner the government will assist you in accessing the necessary facilities”.

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan, Amrit Bottlers Pvt. Ltd. chairman SN Ladhani, directors Rakesh Ladhani and Naresh Ladhani, along with other dignitaries, were present.