The Uttar Pradesh government has made significant budgetary allocations in its 2024-25 budget to usher in a new phase of development in Ayodhya Dham with emphasis on beautification of access roads, advancement of facilities and expansion of airport in the holy city.
“For centuries, the life of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram has served as a source of inspiration for India and the world, urging individuals to aspire for higher ideals. His unwavering commitment to honour his father’s word, forsaking royal luxuries without hesitation to embark on exile, and resolutely suppressing the wicked and unrighteous, sets a unique and unparalleled example of royal righteousness,” the finance minister said in his budget speech.
There were repeated references to Lord Shri Ram and the spiritual essence of Ayodhya throughout the speech.
Committed to restoring the grandeur of the Treta Yuga in the divine Ayodhya Dham, the Yogi Adityanath government unveiled its proposals for the entire Ayodhya division in its budget speech. The proposals for Ayodhya in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 include significant projects such as the expansion and beautification of access roads in Ayodhya, the enhancement of facilities for tourists/public facilities and the expansion of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport.
Important projects to be taken up during the next fiscal 2024-25 in anticipation of a potential rise in the number of tourists and devotees with the construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya district, widening and beautification of three access roads and development of parking and public facilities are being carried out at six places.
— Maharishi Valmiki International Airport has been developed in Ayodhya, and a proposal of Rs 150 crore has been made for the expansion of the airport in Ayodhya Dham.
— Rs 10 crore is proposed for the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute in Ayodhya.
— Tourism development and beautification works are being carried out in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Vindhyachal, Prayagraj, Naimisharanya, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Bateshwar Dham, Garhmukteshwar, Shuktirtha Dham, Maa Shakumbhari Devi, Sarnath and other important tourist places.
— Under the Mukhyamantri Paryatan Vikas Sahbhagita Yojana, there is a plan to develop one tourist destination in each assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh. In this sequence, a blueprint has been drawn to ensure the integrated development of religious and tourism areas in the districts of the Ayodhya division.
In the budget for the year 2024-25, notable achievements in Ayodhya were highlighted, including:
— The construction of the grand temple of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram in Ayodhya has given a lot of impetus to the social and cultural sector in the state and the immense potential of religious tourism has increased.
— Ayodhya has solidified its position as a global tourism hub, witnessing a substantial increase in both domestic and international tourist arrivals, thereby positively impacting the economic conditions of the country, including the state.
— This year as well, a grand Deepotsav was organised in Ayodhya, where a Guinness World Record was set by illuminating 22.23 lakh lamps at Ram Ki Paidi.
During a press conference, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the commendations received for the arrangements made during the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. He expressed: “The construction of the grand temple of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Ji has significantly uplifted the social and cultural sector. Ayodhya has transformed into a prominent global tourist destination, witnessing a substantial increase in visitors from both India and abroad, contributing positively to our economic landscape."
During the budget speech, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna emphasised the Yogi government’s commitment, saying, “It is not an exaggeration to say that the governance of our state is currently inspired by the concept of Ram Rajya, advancing towards socio-cultural, economic and spiritual progress.”