Ram Mandir: Work on Ayodhya Airport in its final stage; inaugural flight from Ayodhya to Delhi, Ahmedabad on this day

New Delhi/Ayodhya: Prior to the installation of Ram Lala in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Yogi government is actively enhancing Ayodhya's infrastructure, focusing on both road and air connectivity. In this sequence, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently issued the necessary 'aerodrome' license for Ayodhya airport. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is overseeing the development of the airport at an approximate cost of Rs 350 crore.

According to available information, the inaugural flight from Ayodhya to Delhi airport is scheduled to commence on January 6. Flights to Ahmedabad will follow from January 11, with a travel time of 1 hour 15 minutes between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya. There will be thrice-weekly flights to Ahmedabad, and the flight timetable will be released soon.

Vinod Kumar, Director of Shri Ram Airport, Ayodhya, mentioned earlier, "The work on Shri Ram Airport is in its final stage. The runway and parking bay are ready, and the building work is nearing completion. Beautification work is currently underway. The DGCA team has conducted an inspection, and we anticipate obtaining the license soon, after which flights will commence. Indigo Airlines has also submitted its flight plan."

DGCA Chief Vikram Dev Dutt granted the license to AAI Chairman Sanjeev Kumar. AAI stated that Ayodhya airport has been granted an aerodrome license in the public use category for all weather conditions.

Additionally, AAI revealed that the long-awaited Ayodhya airport will feature a terminal building spanning 6,500 square meters, capable of accommodating 600 passengers at peak hours and serving 10 lakh passengers annually. The extended runway of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya is suitable for the operation of A-321/B-737 type aircraft.

The inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is scheduled for January 22, 2024. The first floor of the temple will be inaugurated by January 22 next year, marking the consecration of Ramlala in the sanctum sanctorum. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust aims to complete the construction of the first floor of the temple by December 31 this year.