Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ayodhya International Airport and the redeveloped Ayodhya Dham junction today. He also flagged off eight trains -- two Amrit Bharat trains from the station and six Vande Bharat Express trains virtually.
Addressing a crowd in the city, the prime minister said he was "just as excited" for the January 22 Ram Temple consecration as the city of Ayodhya.
The prime minister had arrived in the temple city in the morning and was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Soon after, the prime minister began his roadshow amid heavy security.
The prime minister's visit comes weeks before the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22.
The prime minister will also launch or lay foundation stones for 46 infrastructure projects costing ₹ 15,700 crore. PM Modi will also inaugurate beautified roads, a medical college, the Ayodhya bypass, a solid waste treatment and five parking and commercial facilities. "Our government is determined to develop world-class infrastructure, improve connectivity and preserve the rich heritage of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Shri Ram. In this direction, I will inaugurate the newly constructed airport and redeveloped railway station tomorrow," the prime minister said in a post on X yesterday.
The Maharishi Valmiki International Ayodhya Dham Airport has been developed at a cost of over ₹1,450 crore and will serve nearly 10 lakh passengers annually. Flights from big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad will bring in devotees from across India to the grand temple of Lord Ram after its consecration. The ₹ 240 crore redeveloped railway station renamed to the Ayodhya Dham junction is be a three-storey facility with food plazas and waiting rooms.
Here are highlights of PM Modi Ayodhya Visit:
"I urge all devotees not to come to Ayodhya on January 22. As 'bhakts', we would not like to cause any problems to Lord Ram. You all can come starting January 23 till eternity... Ram Mandir is now there forever and ever," PM Modi said.
"Strength of 'vikas' (development), 'virasat' (heritage) will take India forward," says PM Modi in Ayodhya.
"Whole world waiting for historic moment of 'pran pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22," says PM Modi.
🔴Watch LIVE | PM Modi addresses gathering in #Ayodhya after inaugurating new airport and revamped railway station https://t.co/rpf40HJcI6
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
Watch | PM Modi at the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in #Ayodhya@maryashakil reports pic.twitter.com/TRFXLjF4jY
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an impromptu visit to the house of PM Awas Yojana beneficiary Dhaniram Majhi in Ayodhya. He also met a Ujwala Yojana beneficiary and had tea at her house.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway during his visit to Ayodhya today. The inauguration of the railway station is a historic moment and comes a month ahead of the consecration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Railway junction and flagged off two Amrit Bharat trains.
#InPics | PM's Mega Roadshow In Ayodhya Weeks Ahead Of Ram Temple Event https://t.co/pyrjPlJtCn pic.twitter.com/D9eEJx2UkJ
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
Watch | PM Modi's Mega Roadshow In Ayodhya Weeks Ahead Of Ram Temple Event https://t.co/pyrjPlJtCn pic.twitter.com/i4EQPhl1lP
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the temple town of Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the PM right after his plane landed. Soon after, the prime minister began his roadshow amid heavy security.
🔴Watch LIVE Coverage | PM Modi arrives in Ayodhya, will inaugurate new airport, revamped railway station https://t.co/VJ9BOYe6Dj
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
PM Modi has begun his roadshow through Ayodhya
As the anticipation built around PM Modi's visit to Ayodhya on Saturday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the inauguration of the new airport and launch of other projects wwould usher in a "new era of development" in the temple town.
देश की पहली अमृत भारत ट्रेन अयोध्या धाम जंक्शन से अपनी पहली यात्रा के लिए तैयार है!#AmritBharatTrain#AyodhyaDham#VandeBharat pic.twitter.com/fA1FtdZb28
- Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) December 30, 2023
The prime minister has arrived in Ayodhya to inaugurate the new airport and the redeveloped train station.
Watch LIVE Coverage | PM Modi To Arrive In #Ayodhya Shortly, Grand Welcome Planned https://t.co/KCJGg2Vrmv
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
Watch | Ayodhya prepares for PM Modi's visit, today@maryashakil reports pic.twitter.com/d5L5Y80qq9
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
Watch | Visuals of the new Amrit Bharat train, which PM Narendra Modi will flag off in #Ayodhya today.
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
📹: ANI pic.twitter.com/bWsu9ReOnJ
PM Modi To Hold Road Show, Launch ₹ 15,700 Crore Projects https://t.co/Aqo7FOoNbN@tanishqq9 reports pic.twitter.com/NXDswfpEog
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
राममय श्री अयोध्या धाम में आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी का हार्दिक स्वागत एवं अभिनंदन...
- Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 30, 2023
Watch | Preparations underway in various parts of #Ayodhya ahead of PM Modi's visit today. pic.twitter.com/0unnVC6541
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 30, 2023
"Our government is determined to develop world-class infrastructure, improve connectivity and preserve the rich heritage of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Shri Ram. In this direction, I will inaugurate the newly constructed airport and redeveloped railway station tomorrow. Along with this, I will also get the privilege of inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of many more development projects, which will make the life of my family members in many areas of the country including Ayodhya and UP easier," PM Modi wrote on X in Hindi.
भगवान श्री राम की नगरी अयोध्या में विश्वस्तरीय इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर के विकास, कनेक्टिविटी में सुधार और यहां की समृद्ध विरासत के संरक्षण के लिए हमारी सरकार कृतसंकल्प है। इसी दिशा में कल नवनिर्मित एयरपोर्ट और पुनर्विकसित रेलवे स्टेशन का उद्घाटन करूंगा। इसके साथ ही कई और विकास परियोजनाओं...
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 29, 2023
Ahead of the much-awaited consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya today to inaugurate the new airport as well as the redeveloped railway station.