New Chapter for Tourism in Ayodhya Division: Work Accelerates on 41 Projects Worth ₹110 Crore

Ayodhya Division Poised for Tourism Boom with ₹110 Crore Investment in 41 Projects

The Uttar Pradesh government is taking significant strides to develop the Ayodhya Division into a prominent center for religious, cultural, and heritage tourism. In line with this vision, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism, Culture, and Religious Affairs Department, Amrit Abhijat, conducted an intensive review of proposed and ongoing projects within the Ayodhya Division.

Discussions focused on 41 tourism projects with an estimated cost of approximately ₹110 crore, planned for the fiscal year 2026-27. The primary objective of these initiatives is to enhance religious tourism across the entire division, including Ayodhya, preserve cultural heritage, and comprehensively develop tourist amenities.

Comprehensive Development Across Five Districts

The review meeting encompassed tourism projects related to the districts of Ayodhya, Amethi, Barabanki, Sultanpur, and Ambedkar Nagar. Information gathered indicates that the highest number of proposed projects are associated with the Ayodhya district.

Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat emphasized the need to view tourism development not as isolated projects but as an integrated system. He directed that all endeavors related to tourist facilitation centers, signage, parking facilities, and heritage conservation be effectively coordinated.

Furthermore, directives were issued to keep elected representatives informed about the progress at each stage and to accord top priority to construction quality and long-term maintenance. This integrated approach aims to create a seamless and enriching experience for tourists visiting the region.

Revitalization of Heritage and Creation of New Facilities

A key proposal reviewed was the conservation and development of Ayodhya's historic Jalakal Building into a 'Parampara Heritage Building'. This project aims to transform the historical structure into a premier tourist hub, showcasing Ayodhya's rich historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage in a modern presentation.

Additionally, proposals for the establishment of an office and tourist facilitation center for the Shri Ayodhya Ji Teerth Vikas Parishad, installation of directional signage at key tourist spots, beautification of the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, and development of Bharat Mata Mandir, Baura Baba Mathia, Prachin Thakurdwara Mandir, and Asha Devi Mandir were also assessed.

Tourism Development Plans for Neighboring Districts

Detailed tourism development plans are also in place for other districts within the division. In Amethi district, plans for the development of Mahadev Shankar Mandir, Veer Baba Mandir, Khaki Sahab Udaseen Ashram, Ram Janki Mandir, and Shrimat Paramhans Ashram were discussed.

For Barabanki, proposals were presented to connect Chandrapuri Ashram, Narmadeshwar Mandir, Shri Ram Janki Mandir, Shrinath Baba Mandir, and Neelkantheshwar Mandir with tourism facilities. In Sultanpur district, the construction of a multipurpose auditorium in Jaisingpur and the development of key religious sites were considered.

Ambedkar Nagar district's proposals included a museum gallery, cafeteria, and development of tourist facilities at other significant religious sites in Shravan Dham, including Baba Nihal Das Kutia. These initiatives underscore a broad commitment to enhancing the tourism potential across the entire region.

Progress on Lodheshwar Temple and Floating Restaurant

The progress of the tourism development project at the renowned Lodheshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki, with an investment of approximately ₹48.77 crore, was found to be satisfactory. This project is not only creating better facilities for devotees but is also crucial in making Lodheshwar Temple a more attractive major religious tourism destination.

Meanwhile, the floating restaurant being constructed on the Saryu River in Ayodhya is on track for operation before Deepotsav. Its launch is expected to give a new identity to Ayodhya's riverfront tourism and offer a unique experience to tourists and devotees alike.

Key Initiatives by Culture and Religious Affairs Departments

The Culture Department presented proposals for the beautification and renovation of the Ramlila Maidan in Ambedkar Nagar and the construction of a monument and entrance gate for Shaheed Jagdamba Prasad Pandey in Pura Bazar, Ayodhya. Additionally, the progress on the construction of the Vedic Research Institute in Ayodhya and the development of the ancestral home of Padmashree Babu K.D. Singh as a memorial museum in Barabanki were closely reviewed.

The Religious Affairs Department also submitted nine significant proposals. These include the development of parking facilities near Ram Path and Haveli Avadh in Ayodhya, conservation and beautification of various religious sites, development of the Shravan Kshetra and Panchmukhi Mandir in Ambedkar Nagar, and the renovation of Hanuman Dham Shanti Ashram and Prachin Baba Mahadev Dham Mandir in Sultanpur. The overarching aim of these plans is to strengthen religious tourism by providing enhanced and accessible facilities to pilgrims.

Emphasis on Quality and Coordination

The meeting also included a detailed evaluation of the progress of various projects sanctioned under the Tourism, Culture, and Religious Affairs Department between 2023 and 2026. Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat issued strict directives to the officials of the executing agencies for ongoing projects, stating that the inauguration of completed projects and the groundbreaking ceremonies for upcoming projects must be conducted through the elected representatives of the respective areas.

He clarified that failure to comply with these instructions would result in strict administrative action against the concerned officials. Furthermore, he instructed officials to strive for the completion of smaller ongoing projects within the next four to five months. Special emphasis was placed on ensuring regular site inspections, continuous monitoring of construction quality, and timely implementation of plans.