Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Ayodhya was fast emerging as a religious tourism hub and therefore its developmental plans should be such that the temple town’s historical and religious heritage were preserved.
He also asked officials to look for avenues to make Ayodhya a solar city.
“Places of historical and religious importance of Ayodhya should be restored. There is no shortage of funds and therefore officials should take up all-round development of Ayodhya on a fast track. Ayodhya is already attracting people from all over the world. We should speed up developmental work,” the chief minister said on Thursday during an inter-departmental review of the developmental works of Ayodhya district through video conferencing here on Thursday.
He said that the government was committed to the all-round development of Ayodhya and all the development works be completed in a time-bound manner while adhering to the quality norms.
“Services of good and efficient professionals should be taken for branding of Ayodhya. Make a scheme to publicise Ayodhya all over the world even though it has already gained global recognition,” he said.
The chief minister asked officials to explore the possibilities of developing Ayodhya as a solar city, saying it would add to the identity of the temple city.
He asked the officials to remove all hurdles in the construction of an airport at Ayodhya.
For the airport, 160 acres of land had already been acquired while the remaining 250 acres would be acquired soon, he said and added that in view of the high volume of footfall in the times to come, Ayodhya should have two bus stations.
The chief minister said that the devotees and tourists from the country and abroad would soon start pouring in there, hence there would be need for good guides.
“The Tourism department should prepare an action plan for availability of efficient guides. It will also be immensely useful for job creation as well,” he said.
Yogi directed the officials that the space of the proposed multi-level parking for small vehicles may be used for industrial activities as it would help rehabilitation of traders also.
The chief minister also directed officials to develop more facilities for pilgrims and travellers on Panchkosi , Chaudah Kosi and Chaurasi Kosi Margs. “Since the devotees will travel on foot, their convenience should be taken care of well,” he said.
He also asked officials to develop the riverfront from Guptar Ghat to Naya Ghat.
The Irrigation department was asked to prepare an action plan to ensure flow of Saryu river water at Ram Ki Paidi.
“Keep in view the public interest and public expectations in fixing the rate while purchasing/acquiring 80.357 hectare of land in village Manjha Barhata. The district magistrate should make a decision in this regard soon. Also, the work on the flyover on Sahadatganj for the convenience of the vehicles going from Gorakhpur to Lucknow should be completed at the earliest,” the chief minister said.
He asked the officials to dispose of all the pending issues regarding development of Ayodhya. He said departmental heads of PWD, Housing, Jal Shakti, Tourism and other departments should not delay decision from their end.
The chief minister was apprised that the roads in Ayodhya were being broadened and the expansion of Ram Katha Park was being taken up with urgency. He reminded the officials to fix a uniform rate for land acquisition.