Lays Foundation For Rs 290Cr Projects
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath giving a cheque to a beneficiary at a function in Rudauli, Ayodhya
Lucknow: Inaugurating and laying foundation stones for 245 development projects worth more than Rs 290 crore under the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, including a Ramayan Wax Museum, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that present-day Ayodhya evoked memories of the Treta Yuga.“Having read about Ayodhya’s grandeur in the Ramcharitmanas and the Ramayan, one could only imagine its magnificence. However, when I had the opportunity to visit Ayodhya 40 years ago, its condition was heart breaking. It was the period of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. There was an atmosphere of struggle and silence, people lived in fear, and govts lacked positive intent,” he said.Listing out the efforts made by the BJP govt to improve the temple town, the CM said more efforts were needed to develop Ayodhya to its full potential. He said that residents and councillors of Ayodhya were not just ordinary citizens or public representatives but were custodians of one of the world’s most promising spiritual and cultural cities.He described those born in Ayodhya as fortunate, saying that they were getting to witness the miracle of Lord Ram first hand. Previous generations carried forward the Ram temple movement, the fruits of which the present generation were getting to witness in the form of the Ram temple, he said.Yogi recalled that when PM Narendra Modi entrusted him with leading UP govt 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 govt first 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.Praising Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, he said that efforts it took, especially through the Ramayan Vatika, were commendable. He also suggested that screens can be installed through which visitors will be able to listen to verses from the Ramayan.“Govt 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 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.
