Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Saturday that the first phase of construction for the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport is set to be completed by 15 December. The Chief Minister, along with Central Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Central Minister of State Dr. VK Singh, undertook a comprehensive inspection of the ongoing developments at the airport site.
During the inspection, officials engaged in presentations outlining the progress of the airport's construction and participated in a review meeting to ensure seamless coordination between all stakeholders involved in the ambitious project.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his satisfaction with the rapid developments, stating that Ayodhya is emerging as the epitome of New India, aligning with the city's sacred significance in the vision of Lord Shri Ram.
He emphasised that the initial modest airstrip of 178 acres in Ayodhya is now evolving into a major international airport, covering 821 acres of land provided by the state government.
"Work is progressing at a war-footing pace under the supervision of the Airport Authority of India, transforming Ayodhya into a prominent international hub," said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He assured the residents of Ayodhya that the government is committed to providing essential infrastructure for the city's overall development.
Central Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, also present during the inspection, underlined the effort to imbibe the cultural ethos of Ayodhya in the airport's design and structure. He disclosed that in the first phase, a 65,000-square-foot terminal is under construction, with the capacity to handle 2-3 flights per hour.
Additionally, a 2200-metre runway is in progress, facilitating the landing of various aircraft, from smaller ones to larger models like Boeing 737, Airbus 319, and Airbus 320. The first phase development also includes the establishment of eight aprons at the site.
Scindia further outlined the preparations for seeking cabinet approval for the second phase of the project. In this phase, the runway's length will be extended to 3700 metres, enabling the direct landing of international aircraft such as Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 in Ayodhya. The second phase will also include the construction of a 5 lakh square feet aircraft apron to accommodate future growth in air traffic and enhance the airport's overall capacity.
The Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport, once completed, is poised to become a symbol of Ayodhya's cultural resurgence and a pivotal gateway to the city's global prominence.