BJP’s Ayodhya poll setback triggers a few changes on ground, not in boom blueprint

Some ambitious plans, like an aerocity and expansion of key roads, may also be tweaked with “local sentiments” on acquisition and relocation factored in. For example, residents say, the administration has started accepting their feedback on various measures, including easing barricades for traffic management.

At the same time, officials said, the initial phase of most of the mega development projects, such as a refurbished railway station, an international airport and mural work along the Dharma Path that leads to the temple, has been completed. Work is in progress on other projects such as a revamped drainage system, an upgrade of inner roads and beautification of the various ghats.

After the recent incidents of water dripping at the temple and potholes on the roads outside, Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi acknowledged that “our brand value has been affected”. “The plan now is to focus on completing existing projects and develop new projects,” Tripathi told The Indian Express, adding that this would lead to a boom that could even witness “reverse migration” of the city’s residents.

Areas where politicians and officials have bought land in Ayodhya

On the status of various projects: A “major” portion of Rs 70-crore streetlights has been installed; mural work on Dharma Path has been completed; an estimated half of the Rs 2,000-crore worth civic work is complete; deadlines have been set for July-end as well as the year-end depending on the nature of work. “These changes will be felt in the city’s economy soon and then people will realise what has happened,” said Tripathi.

Asserting that “there was a time when the people of Ayodhya wanted to buy land in Lucknow”, Tripathi said, “Today, they are making attempts to revive their old roots and buy land here instead.”

Yet, there are clear indications that the election results may have led to some tweaks in plans.

Sources told The Indian Express that the Ayodhya Development Authority has cleared a proposal to provide additional benefits to about 300 shopkeepers who were displaced from Ram Path, including an additional 30 per cent rebate to acquire new shops in three different locations and loans with 20-year interest-free instalments. “This will make the instalments equivalent to the rent in many cases,” a senior official said.

According to sources, the aerocity project has also been put on hold. When contacted, Ashwini Kumar Pandey, Vice Chairman of Ayodhya Development Authority, told The Indian Express that the project would proceed. The administration had earlier identified land for the aerocity, he said, “but there were apprehensions among locals, so we will look for alternatives”. “It is basically a project where locals give their land and we give them a portion of the developed land,” he said.

As for other projects, local officials pointed out that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had recently ordered a study on how “transformation” in religious towns would stimulate the local economy.

“The State Cabinet has also approved the proposal of Tata Sons to set up a museum worth Rs 750 crore in Ayodhya on Indian temples, in collaboration with the Central Government. Work worth Rs 16.50 crore is also going on at Guptar Ghat where, along with other attractions, a memorial is being built that will display episodes from the Ramayana,” an official said.

Overall, officials say, most of the proposed mega projects worth an estimated total of Rs 32,000 crore have been implemented. “Some of the major work remains, including new roads, flyovers, rail overbridges, drainage and the kosi parikrama margs,” said another official.