Jagran correspondent, Ayodhya. The holy city of Lord Ram is touching new heights of development today. Maharishi Valmiki International Airport has completed two years of operation. This airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 December 2023, which happened just before the consecration of Ram Temple.
The airport has made great achievements in these two years. Till now a total of 7,85,412 passengers have arrived and departed from here. Recently, CSI has made Ayodhya Airport more unmatched in terms of facilities by releasing the ranking of passenger satisfaction.
This airport is not only a symbol of modernity, but is also a living example of the visionary policies of the double engine government. The partnership between the Modi government at the Center and the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has established Ayodhya on the global stage, where tourism, trade and religious travel are growing at a new pace. These two years have been years of change for Ayodhya.
While on one hand the consecration of Ram temple provided spiritual energy, on the other hand the airport gave wings to economic and social development. This partnership of double engine government is a source of inspiration not only for Uttar Pradesh but for the entire country. As Prime Minister Modi said during the inauguration, Ayodhya is now a symbol of modern India. This airport will become stronger in the coming years, and the story of Ayodhya will write a new chapter of development.
22 aircraft are still operating
A total of 28 flights (including arrivals and departures) were operated after the commencement of operations. Currently 22 flights are operating, which connect major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad.
However, some airlines temporarily stopped flights to Darbhanga, Kolkata, Patna and Jaipur due to operational reasons, but with the active participation of the double engine government, there are plans to restart these routes soon.
Airline companies like Indigo, SpiceJet and Air India have landed a large fleet of aircraft here, which is strengthening the connectivity of Ayodhya.
Now these major facilities are available for passengers at the airport
Expansion of facilities at the airport has been a priority of the double engine government. Parking facilities, pre-paid taxi counters, gift shops, sweet shops, food and beverage outlets were started. Additionally, amenities like golf carts, business lounge, food court, Ola and Uber cab services, lounge, shops and free Wi-Fi are available.
Capacity to handle 10 lakh passengers annually
The construction of the airport was completed in the first phase at a cost of approximately Rs 1450 crore. In this, the area of the terminal building was kept at 6500 square meters, which has the capacity to handle 10 lakh passengers annually. The design of the airport is based on the theme of Ramayana, where traditional Indian architecture can be seen.
The scenes from Ramayana on the walls connect the travelers with the cultural heritage. This double engine government initiative marked the first step towards making Ayodhya an international hub, where the central government provided funding and technical support, while the state government ensured land acquisition and local development.
Expansion under process, international flights will start in future: Director
Director Dhirendra Singh says that there has been a significant increase in connectivity at the regional and national level. Tourism has got a boost, trade has picked up and religious journeys have become easier. New employment opportunities have been created for the local people. Hundreds of jobs were created at the airport itself, while hotels, restaurants and tourism-related businesses are flourishing in the surrounding areas.
After the success of the first phase, expansion plans are now under process. This includes increasing terminal capacity, further strengthening passenger amenities, expanding commercial activities and upgrading infrastructure to accommodate more flights. With the commencement of international flights in future, Ayodhya will become a center for global tourists.