"Ayodhya Is On Track To Development, Thanks To A Double-Engine Sarkar": MP Lallu Singh

Increasing the momentum towards making Ayodhya meet the footfall of pilgrims, tourism inflow and related expectations from visitors, the Ayodhya Development Authority has hired consultants to draft a vision document.

Preparations are underway to make the grand plans for the redevelopment of Ayodhya to keep pace with the vision for the city, inputs for which are being taken from locals as well.

A survey will be conducted to identify stakeholders, for which comprehensive discussions will be held, while national and international case studies will be taken into account and a roadmap drawn on Ayodhya in harmony with the Ram Mandir and the city's character.

Aspects relating to planning, infrastructure development, transport, traffic, finance and tourism will be taken into account.

Three firms are working towards finalising the vision — which will then lead to the implementation of strategy and preparation of an integrated infrastructure plan for the city.

Member of Parliament from Ayodhya, Lallu Singh, told Swarajya that PM Narendra Modi will take a look at all aspects of Ayodhya's development.

Singh says that Modi is thinking on "ek ek bindu" — each aspect — to make Ayodhya, — Prabhu Shri Ram ki Nagri — one of the most remarkable cities in the world.

Singh will be part of a team in which Modi is likely to lead the thought wagon using the power of a 'double engine sarkar — the Centre-state partnership — for the redevelopment of Ayodhya.

Singh added that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is one of the strongest propellers of the thinking, vision and work taking place in Ayodhya.

"Prime Minister Modi is keeping a close watch on the development of Ayodhya as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Adityanath is also working continuously towards the same goal. I am working and planning on steps to meet the footfall of pilgrims, and tourists in Ayodhya in the coming years and after the completion of the temple construction," he said.

"Ayodhya, Gonda, Basti, Barabanki and Ambedkar Nagar will see connecting pilgrimage routes as well as the Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama," he said.

Singh said work on roads and railways to boost pilgrimage and tourism potential in Ayodhya is being done proactively and the redevelopment of the city was being envisaged as an aesthetic balance between the ancient, and the new.

"The swaroop of Ayodhya should be visible in the work and redevelopment process," he says.

Singh firmly believes that the "double engine sarkar" has been advantageous for the work in Ayodhya in the current scenario and rues such a late arrival (in 2017) of such a partnership. Had it come earlier, brand Ayodhya could have shone much before.

He says, "Ye to swabhavik hai (this focussed approach to goals is natural). Nahin to latkaane ka kaam hota hai (otherwise things are delayed). Swabhawik roop se jo double engine sarkar rehti to asaani rehti (things would have been easier had a double engine government been in place earlier). Ek hee vichaar aur ek hee soch rehte to...(had thought and ideas been aligned in case of a BJP-led government at state and centre).

Singh gives an example:

He says, "Take for example Rajashri Dashrath Autonomous State Medical College, Ayodhya. Wahan par pehle se do sau shaiyaa hospital thha. Wahan par zameen thhee. Agar wahan ban jata to waheen par parhai bhi hoti aur chikitsa ki suvidha bhi rehti. Lekin usko rajya sarkar ne jabardasti vote ke chakkar mein SP sarkar ne alag kar diya. Parhenge alag, aur yahan par chikitsa alag..."

Singh said that the work on the railway line and other related tasks have been consistently followed under the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state.

He adds, "Work on shifting of the goods godown from Faizabad is another task underway. From the times of former Railways minister Suresh Prabhu to Piyush Goyal, now, the state and Centre partnership has seen several projects being planned and sanctioned. The state and Centre are working on projects to improve access and infrastructure, including the railway station in Ayodhya."

Singh says that the four-lane road between Jagdishpur and Ayodhya has been sanctioned, while the redevelopment of the Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama, and the redevelopment of roads into Ayodhya is underway. The development of road between Janakpur and Ayodhya is also underway.

Among the tasks he is working on to strengthen infrastructure for pilgrimage footfall are: construction of ghats, a new bus station, improvement at Ram ki Paidi, proposal for the construction of some roads in Ayodhya, and widening of roads in Ayodhya.

"Railways has plans to expand and redevelop Faizabad junction to meet the anticipated footfall of pilgrims. The doubling and electrification of the railway line between Barabanki and Jaffarabad, the electrification of railway line between Prayagraj and Ayodhya, the electrification of railway line between Mankapur and Ayodhya, and the redevelopment of Ayodhya railway station have been sanctioned," he adds.

A Times of India report says that the railways has written to the state government, seeking permission to rename Faizabad junction as Ayodhya Cantt railway station.

Singh says that the development of railway station in Ayodhya is a priority. A total of 1.5 lakh square metres of land is needed for the railway station project out of which 90,000 square metres is being given by the UP government.

Yogi Adityanath has said that the UP government will be giving it free of cost. A 10-platform railway station will be constructed with several facilities. Doubling of railway lines, and track electrification is in progress.

Also, the Maryada Purushottam Shriram Airport in Ayodhya has been provided with Rs 101 crore for ongoing civil works by the Adityanath government in the proposed budget.

There is more being done for the convenience of pilgrims.

"Work is on towards the inclusion of Ramghat halt in Northern Railway. It will be given the status of a station. This will help people coming in from Bihar and Gorakhpur and those travelling from Nepal. Wo Saryu mein snaan karein, aachaman karein, darshan karein (before they go on to explore Ayodhya)," Singh says.

Singh told Swarajya that arrangements are being made to make the travel and stay of pilgrims from southern states comfortable as well.

He said the emotion for Shri Ram and Ayodhya among people from the southern states is valued by the people of Ayodhya and has been part of the spiritual and cultural ethos of Ayodhya.

"The people of Ayodhya and I have witnessed the sudden upsurge in the bhaav for Ayodhya. Pilgrims from South India are among those who turn up in huge numbers for the darshan of Shri Ram's nagri. We are thankful to PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath for their efforts towards this new change," he adds.

The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will mark a new chapter in Ayodhya's cultural interaction with pilgrims from across India and from across the world.

Singh has pointed at PM Modi's presence as being as valuable as that of the family 'mukhiya' in the preparations towards the vision for a grand Ayodhya.