Ayodhya should manifest finest Indian traditions: Modi

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 26

Ayodhya should manifest the finest of Indian traditions and the best of the nation’s developmental transformation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday as he chaired a meeting to review the ongoing projects in the city.

The PM said the human ethos of Ayodhya must be matched by futuristic infrastructure, which is beneficial for everyone.

He was speaking at a virtual meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath where state government officials made a presentation on various aspects of Ayodhya’s development.

The plan envisages the development of the city as a spiritual centre, a global tourism hub and a sustainable smart city.

Officials informed the PM about the upcoming and proposed infrastructure projects to improve connectivity of the country with Ayodhya.

Various infrastructure projects like an airport, expansion of the railway station, bus station, roads and highways were discussed.

The meeting came close on the heels of the SP, AAP and Congress alleging scams in the purchase of land in Ayodhya by Shri Ram Teerth Kshetra Trust, which has denied the allegations.

The SP and AAP have demanded a CBI probe into the matter while the Congress has sought an investigation monitored by the Supreme Court, even asking the court to take suo motu cognizance of the accusations.

Back in UP, the state government is fast-tracking development in Ayodhya.

The PM was told of an upcoming Greenfield township which will include lodging facilities for devotees, space for ashrams, maths, hotels, and earmarked bhavans of various states.

A tourist facilitation centre and a world-class museum would also be built, the officials said at the meeting.

Special attention is being devoted to development of infrastructure around the Saryu river and its ghats with cruise operation set to be made a regular feature, said the UP functionaries.

At the virtual meeting, the PM was informed that Ayodhya would be developed to ensure sustainability with adequate spaces for cyclists and people on foot and traffic management would be modern and rooted in smart city infrastructure.

The PM described Ayodhya as a city that etched in the cultural consciousness of every Indian, noting, “Ayodhya is both spiritual and sublime. The future generations should feel the desire to visit Ayodhya at least once in their lifetime.”

The PM said while developmental works in Ayodhya would continue in the foreseeable future, the momentum towards heralding Ayodhya to this next leap of progress must begin now.

“It is our collective endeavour to celebrate the identity of Ayodhya and keep its cultural vibrancy alive through innovative ways,” he said.

Invoking Lord Ram’s ability to bring people together, the PM said the development works of Ayodhya should be guided by a spirit of healthy public participation, especially the youth.

He called for the skills of our talented youth to be leveraged in the development of the city.

The meeting also featured UP Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma.