Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 245 development projects worth over Rs 290 crore under the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, including a Ramayan Wax Museum, on Friday. He remarked that present-day Ayodhya evokes memories of the Treta Yuga.
CM Recalls Ayodhya's Past
Speaking at the event in Rudauli, Ayodhya, the CM said that while reading about Ayodhya's grandeur in the Ramcharitmanas and Ramayan, one could only imagine its magnificence. However, when he visited Ayodhya 40 years ago, its condition was heartbreaking. It was the period of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, with an atmosphere of struggle and silence, people living in fear, and governments lacking positive intent.
Efforts for Development
Listing the BJP government's efforts to improve the temple town, the CM said more work is needed to develop Ayodhya to its full potential. He emphasized that residents and councillors of Ayodhya are not ordinary citizens or public representatives but custodians of one of the world's most promising spiritual and cultural cities.
He described those born in Ayodhya as fortunate, witnessing the miracle of Lord Ram firsthand. Previous generations carried forward the Ram temple movement, and the present generation is now seeing its fruits with the Ram temple, he said.
Transformation Since 2017
Yogi recalled that when PM Narendra Modi entrusted him with leading the UP government in 2017, he visited Ayodhya and was upset by its condition. The city had narrow lanes, heaps of garbage, only five to six hours of electricity supply, and stagnant water at Ram Ki Paidi. His government started Deepotsav celebrations in 2017.
“Ayodhya is now connected on all sides through four-lane highways and double railway lines. An international airport has also been built. Those who opposed Ayodhya and were uncomfortable even with the name of Maharishi Valmiki are once again attempting to spread discord in society and defame Ayodhya. These are the same people who object to shelters being named after Nishadraj and community kitchens after Mata Shabari,” the CM said.
Commendable Efforts by Municipal Corporation
Praising the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, the CM said its efforts, especially through the Ramayan Vatika, were commendable. He also suggested installing screens so visitors can listen to verses from the Ramayan.
“The government has never allowed a shortage of funds for Ayodhya’s development and has sanctioned projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore for the city,” the CM said, while inaugurating projects like the Integrated Command and Control System, Traffic Management System, works under the AMRUT scheme, beautification and restoration projects, Smart City initiatives, and the Zonal Office Building.
