New Delhi: Ahead of the Ram Temple bhoomi pujan (ground-breaking) ceremony on 5 August, the Indian Railways has said the first phase of the new temple-themed railway station in Ayodhya, which has “supernatural importance”, will be completed by 2021.
“The holy city of Ayodhya, embellished with the footsteps of Lord Rama, has supernatural importance, and in view of this importance of this city in the future, the railways is modernising the Ayodhya railway station,” Rajiv Chaudhry, General Manager, Northern and North Central Railways, said in a statement.
The station, for which an estimated cost of over Rs 104 crore has been sanctioned, is expected to have state-of-the-art facilities for the passengers visiting Ayodhya to see the temple that will be built by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The construction work was started last year by RITES, an enterprise of the Indian Railways.
“The holy land of faith, devotion and spirituality and dignity, Purushottam Lord Ram’s holy place Ayodhya has been the focal point of devotion and faith in the middle of the world since ages,” the Northern Railways said in a statement.
“Due to this importance, the railway station of Ayodhya city also holds a special place for Indian Railways. Railways is operating many trains, fulfilling its important role and responsibilities in convenient movement of passengers in this city with full commitment,” it added.
“In pursuing this dedication and keeping in view the environment of the present and future of Ayodhya. Keeping in view the importance, the railways are in the direction of providing high-class infrastructural facilities, passenger amenities, cleanliness, beauty and various desired facilities with high-quality standards in Ayodhya railway station,” the statement further read.
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Construction will be in two phases
According to officials, the temple-themed station will be constructed in two phases.
The first phase will include development work on the main three platforms, the current circulating area and the holding area.
The second phase of the project will focus on the construction of the new station building and other facilities.
These facilities include expansion of ticket counters, waiting room expansion, air-conditioned restrooms, 17-bed male and 10-bed female dormitories with toilets, an additional foot over-bridge, a VIP lounge, an auditorium, a food plaza and a special guest house.
Earlier this year, the Railways had also announced the launch of a special Ramayana Express, with Ramayana-themed interiors and religious songs playing on board, to give passengers a feeling of “travelling in a temple”.
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