How Ayodhya Ram Mandir will economically boost Indian Economy??

• Ayodhya Ram Mandir- The Temple of Justice through which 500 years of exile of Lord Shri Ram came to an end. The never ending Babri Masjid and Ayodhya Ram Mandir issues which led to Hindu Muslim riots was settled through Supreme Court and as per court verdict Ayodhya Ram Mandir got constructed on the disputed land of Ayodhya whereas it directed the State to grant the Sunni Waqf Board five acres in a “prominent” location in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque.
• Every Hindu enjoyed the blissful moment when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Temple on 22^nd January 2024 and did the consecration Ceremony. The amazing fact is that Ayodhya Ram Mandir is not just about emotions and justice but also revenue addition to the country at large as lakhs of tourists are predicted to visit the country for taking darshan of Lord Ram. Let us understand how this Beautiful Construction is going to Benefit Indian Economy.

Ayodhya Ram Mandir to Surge Tourism Industry in India

• As per the Foreign stock market research firm Jefferies, Ayodhya is likely to surpass Vatican City and Mecca in terms of the number of visitors. Notable, a day after consecration a massive crowd thronged the temple town and over five lakh devotees took darshan of Ram Lalla with an equal number waiting for their turn.
• Ayodhya is expected to attract around five crore devotees annually, making it a major tourism destination not only within UP but also in India.  Over lakhs of devotees are expected to visit Ayodhya daily and the number could go up to three lakh a day as well. “If each person spends around Rs 2,500 during the visit, the economy of Ayodhya would be up by Rs 25,000 crore”, he said

Uttar Pradesh could see tax collections of Rs 5000 crore in 2024-25

•  A day after consecration, the offerings to Ram Lalla was the tune of over Rs 3 crore owing to the massive influx of visitors to Ayodhya to have a glimpse of the deity. A recent paper by the SBI Research claimed that owing to the Ram temple and initiatives being taken by the state and central government in Ayodhya to catapult it into a major tourist destination, the state of Uttar Pradesh could see tax collections of as much as Rs 5,000 crore in 2024-25.
• A respectable leap taking the state nearer to the target of US$ 1 trillion economy. The report adds that Ayodhya will be the most important factor and with the anticipated growth in tourism, UP could become richer by about Rs 4 lakh crore this year
• An E-brochure by the Uttar Pradesh government, published in 2021 said  that Besides constructing the grand Ram Janmabhoomi as a prominent pilgrimage destination, the government also plans to revamp Ayodhya Dham and Ayodhya.  Approximately 178 projects worth up to ₹30,500 crore have been initiated to develop Ayodhya into a world-class city. Meanwhile, the state government aims to harness the potential of both foreign tourists and Indian nationals and “create a Ramayana circuit, with Ayodhya as the main hub”.
• The “majestic plan” to revamp Ayodhya includes the installation of 10 gates dedicated to Shree Ram, provision for underground cabling, and construction of a Rain Basera with an accommodation capacity of 10,000 people.
• Moreover, there’s a proposal to convert Ayodhya’s Raj Sadan into an upmarket heritage hotel. The government further plans to develop all major public spots and parks in the city to boost tourism. There are several reservoirs across the city, all of which hold special importance due to their connection with Shree Ram, and these will also be repaired and restored.
• The government also plans to connect the rest of the country with the thematic Ramayana circuit.  $10 billion makeover of Ayodhya with a new airport, revamped railway station, township and improved road connectivity will likely drive a multiplier effect with new hotels and other economic activities.

Ayodhya has undergone  a significant shift supported by infrastructure growth with the grand Ram temple inaugration

• The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has initiated the installation process of 6-foot tall and 6-foot wide 3D and basic 4D illuminated laser-cut metal sculptures at various locations in the city. The installation of these artefacts will develop the streets of Ayodhya as an open gallery.
• Raja Dasharath Samadhi Sthal in Ayodhya has undergone a remarkable transformation in a bid to enhance the spiritual experience for tourists. There is also a plan to widen the road by 24 metres to reach the Raja Dashrath Samadhi Sthal. It will be connected to Navya Ayodhya. The construction work of about 13-kilometre-long ‘Rampath’ from Sahadatganj to Naya Ghat is in progress.
• Phase 1 of a new airport in Ayodhya has become operational and can handle 1 million passengers. Additional domestic capacity and an international terminal are expected by 2025 with a capacity to handle 6 million passengers. Moreover, chopper services will reportedly be started to Ayodhya from six districts – Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Mathura and Agra
• The renovation of the Satsang Bhavan has been carried out, transforming it into a kirtan-bhajan venue at the Samadhi Sthal. Approximately 200 to 250 devotees can now immerse themselves in the ocean of devotional songs and hymns together at this place. The restoration work of more than 108 ponds has also started in Ayodhya.
• Battery-operated carts will be made available for devotees visiting Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram temple and the Hanuman Garhi temple. As many as 650 e-carts will be deployed till March in the first phase. They “will be available at the parking lots across the city.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off 50 electric buses and 25 green autos from the Ayodhya bus stand ahead of the Ram temple ceremony in January. The operation of electric buses will be initiated on the Dharma Path and Ram Path. Additionally, 100 electric buses will commence operations from January 15 onward. The convenience of golf carts and e-rickshaws will also be introduced.
• The UP government completed various restoration and development projects worth ₹105.65 crore to enhance the beauty of Ram Ki Paidi, giving it a new and grand form. The UP government built the country’s largest floating screen at Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghat. It was to be installed at Aarti Ghat to show the Pran Pratishtha and related programmes.
•  To facilitate the enjoyment of boating trips for tourists and devotees, the ‘Jatayu Cruise Service’ in the sacred Saryu river has been launched. The state government is also transforming the Ayodhya Dham railway station and it is being equipped with modern facilities.
•  The widened Ram Path with uniform facades of buildings on both sides, ornamental lamp posts bearing a design representing the traditional ‘Ramanadi tilak’ and the 40 Surya Stambhs installed along Dharm Path and the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk are new tourist attractions in the city.
•  There has been active participation of locals in providing homestay experiences to visitors. At present Ayodhya has around 17 hotels with 590 rooms. Up to 73 new hotels are in the pipeline, of which 40 are already under construction. While Indian Hotels, Marriott and Wyndham have already signed deals for hotels, ITC is exploring opportunities in Ayodhya. Oyo plans to add 1,000 hotel rooms in Ayodhya.

Ayodhya takes steps to become Solar City of India

• Ayodhya is being developed into a solar city to reduce its dependence on electricity. For the first time, a solar power-enabled e-boat was launched in a bid to make Ayodhya a “model solar city”. CM Adityanath had inaugurated the rooftop-mounted solar boat service at the Sarayu Ghat. The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Agency (UPNEDA) has prepared the outline for the regular operation of this boat service in the Saryu river of Ayodhya.

The development of Ayodhya Nagri is based on 8 parameters

Following the directives of CM Adityanath, the development work is happening in Ayodhya based on eight concepts. 

These eight concepts include making:

• Sanskritik Ayodhya:Ayodhya is to be developed as the cultural capital of India. As part of the plan, several activities are being carried out. These include establishing majestic monasteries, temples, and ashrams, constructing grand city gates, and undertaking projects like temple museums.
• Saksham Ayodhya:Ayodhya is being developed with an aim to create significant employment opportunities through daily jobs, tourism, religious, and cultural activities.
• Adhunik Ayodhya: This “holy town” of Ayodhya city is being transformed into a modern city with various amenities, with Initiatives like Smart City, Safe City, Solar City, and Greenfield Township.
• Sugmay Ayodhya:The Yogi government is making every effort to make Ayodhya easily accessible. Moreover, devotees can reach this sacred city conveniently through various routes. The plan includes the construction of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport, the rejuvenation of Ayodhya Dham Railway Station or the work of connecting Saryu with the inland waterway.
• Surmay Ayodhya:The government aims to transform Ayodhya into an “enchanting city”. The initiatives include the beautification of various ponds, lakes, and ancient reservoirs in Ayodhya, the rejuvenation of old gardens, the construction of new ones, or even the enhancement of the city’s charm through heritage lighting systems that liberate the city from the entanglement of wires.
• Bhavnatmak Ayodhya:Every bit of Ayodhya should reflect the feeling of being connected to Shri Ram. Keeping this in mind, the city walls, roadsides and intersections are being culturally equipped.
• Swach Ayodhya:A clean Ayodhya is the top priority of the Yogi government. The initiatives to make the city clean range from cleanliness campaigns to the development of drainage and sewer systems.
• Ayusham Ayodhya:The health infrastructure of Ayodhya has already been strengthened to provide quality and convenience-based medical facilities to the patients.

Hotels in Ayodhya

• The hotel industry in and around Ayodhya is poised for significant growth following the opening of the temple to visitors. Anticipating an upsurge in tourism, the region is likely to experience a boom in the hotel sector as accommodations become increasingly sought after by tourists and pilgrims visiting the temple. Currently, the city has approximately 17 hotels with around 590 rooms. To meet the anticipated increase in tourist arrivals, 73 new hotels are in the pipeline, with 40 of them already under construction.
• Meanwhile, other luxury hotel chains like Indian Hotels Co., ITC, Mariott, Lemon Tree, Trident, and Oberoi are also planning hotel openings in the area. ITC is opening a seven-star property, 12 km from the temple. Meanwhile, IHCL is building Vivanta and Ginger-branded hotels.

Railways

• The Ram temple city, Ayodhya, has witnessed enhanced connectivity through railways during the temple inauguration, with the operation of over 1,000 trains providing convenient access from major cities. Looking ahead, there are plans to introduce additional trains to further improve connectivity with Ayodhya, ensuring seamless transportation for visitors and pilgrims. 

Tour operators

• Tour operators and travel agencies, including Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., EaseMyTrip, and RateGain Travel Technologies Ltd., are experiencing a notable uptick in inquiries and bookings from devotees interested in visiting the recently inaugurated temple.
• EaseMyTrip, in particular, is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand, as it anticipates a surge in bookings for various travel services such as air tickets, hotels, cabs, buses, and railway tickets in connection with the upcoming temple inauguration

 Conclusion

• Travel and tourism have already generated more than 20,000 jobs in Ayodhya. Now, with increased tourism and a boost to the hospitality sector, the number is only expected to rise from here annually. Ayodhya will not be the only beneficiary city but neighbouring cities like Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur are also expected to witness a boom in local business.
• Not only the big business sectors like Hotel industries, tourism, restaurants,, construction’ transport, dairy and Agro products will be flourished but small traders who are selling varieties like flowers, fruits, drinks, Agarwood Alta ,Camphor, Ghee, etc. will be benefited. The creation of a new religious tourist centre as Ayodhya, with improved connectivity and infrastructure can create a meaningfully large economic impact.