Taking a cue from the Central government, which has constituted Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh will set up a board for development of Ayodhya.
The proposed ‘Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Development Board’ will be responsible for development of international standard infrastructure in Ayodhya for making it a big tourist and pilgrim centre of the world.
A senior official said that the proposed development board would have five members with the chief minister himself as its chairperson.
“In the first phase, the board will prepare a draft for development of Ayodhya with a fund of Rs 250 crore within a time period of two years,” the official said.
Sources further disclosed that the proposal for setting up the board is likely to be placed before the state Cabinet, which is slated to meet in the state capital on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting in New Delhi on February 19, is expected to announce the date of start of construction of the Ram temple.
The possible dates are Ram Navami (April 2) and Akshay Tritiya (April 26).
The sources confirmed that the meeting would be attended by seven office-bearers along with some other nominated members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in Parliament last week the formation of the trust with 15 members (seven members, three trustees and five nominated members). This was in line with the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.
On the other hand, the saints of Ayodhya are in discussion on where to shift the idol of Ram Lalla in Ram Janmabhoomi when the temple is constructed. There is no consensus over it and a final decision will be taken by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust in its meeting.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday visited Ayodhya where she worshipped at the Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanumangarhi temples.
The governor, during her day-long programme, first went to offer prays to Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmabhoomi and thereafter to Hanumangarhi. She also visited some other temples on the bank of the Saryu river.