Road Ministry proposes Rs 3,600 crore plan for better connectivity to Ayodhya

As devotees throng Ayodhya after Ram Mandir's Pran Pratishtha, the Road Transport Highway Ministry has requested the centre to permit the construction of a 68km greenfield bypass in Ayodhya and nearby areas, with an investment of Rs 3,570 crore.

Better connectivity to Ayodhya

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has invited bids for a 4/6 lane highway that will pass through Lucknow, Basti, and Gonda districts. The construction of the bypass will be undertaken through a public-private partnership (PPP) mode. It is also estimated that the daily traffic will rise from the current 89,023 vehicles to 2.17 lakh vehicles by 2033.

Also Read: Ram Mandir consecration: Ayodhya tourism to bolster Uttar Pradesh's tax revenue by up to Rs 25,000 crore

As per Economic Times, the road ministry sought special approval as the finance ministry has advised against initiating any new projects under Bharatmala for now. Additionally, since the project exceeds Rs 1,000 crore in cost, the ministry needs approval from an apex committee that evaluates PPP projects. The report further said that NHAI aims to complete the construction within two-and-a-half years.

Boost to Ayodhya

The Uttar Pradesh government has planned to invest Rs 85,000 crore in transforming Ayodhya into an economic and tourism hub by boosting the infrastructure in and around the Ram Mandir.

UP government's Master Plan 2031 spans a decade, focusing on infrastructure and tourism. While the NHAI is overlooking projects worth Rs 10,000 crore, the UP government has is taking care of projects worth Rs 7,500 crore. Ayodhya Dham Railway Station is being revamped with modern amenities at a cost of Rs 430 crore. Meanwhile, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport that was inaugurated in December was built at a cost of Rs 328 crore