Leading up to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram Ayodhya International Airport on December 30. Additionally, the redeveloped railway station in Ayodhya will be inaugurated on the same day, accompanied by a roadshow and a public address as part of the prelude to the grand consecration ceremony slated for January 22.
The newly constructed airport is anticipated to serve as a significant gateway to the temple town, with the estimated cost for the first phase of construction amounting to approximately Rs 1,450 crore. IndiGo and Air India Express are set to operate inaugural flights to the airport on December 30, marking the commencement of flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad to Ayodhya from January 2024.
According to sources from the airport, the conceptualization of the new facility is rooted in the spirit of the Ram Mandir, drawing parallels to Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king, Ravana. This conceptual framework aims to instill a "sense of place" for all passengers arriving and departing from the airport.
The terminal building's roof features shikharas of varying heights, highlighting the grandeur of the structure. Alongside these diverse shikhara, the terminal incorporates decorative columns narrating key events from the Ramayana epic.
Officials stated that the colonnade within the terminal building will offer an immersive experience for travelers, visually recounting the story of Lord Rama. Additionally, a secondary colonnade on the glass facade of the terminal seeks to recreate the ambiance of the Ayodhya palace.
The new terminal building spans 6,500 square meters, is designed to accommodate 600 peak-hour passengers, and boasts an annual handling capacity of 10 lakh passengers.
Plans for the second phase of development include a new terminal building spanning 50,000 square meters, capable of accommodating 3,000 passengers during peak hours and serving 60 lakh passengers annually. This phase will also involve runway extension up to 3,750 meters, facilitating the handling of Code E B-777 type aircraft, a Parallel Taxi Track, and Apron with an additional 18 aircraft parking stands.
