Ancient town Ayodhya reveals modern avatar
Dikshu Kukreja, managing principal of CP Kukreja Architects, the New Delhibased firm that was among those involved in drawing out a blueprint of the Ayodhya masterplan, says the city has to be envisioned as a blend of tradition and innovation. Given the flood of people who would descend on the city after the temple’s opening, the masterplan had envisioned not just the airport, which is expected to become operational by Decemberend or January, but also a better railway station and bus stand.
Two IHCL properties, a 100-room Vivanta hotel and a 120-room Ginger hotel, will be located near the airport.
The old railway station is being revamped to have four platforms instead of two and to accommodate 1,000 people.
“Earlier, it had just one generator, which they would turn on only when the train arrived,” says Dev Yadav, who has been ferrying passengers to and from the station on his tempo-rickshaw for over
14 years.
The number of trains to Ayodhya will also be increased once all rail lines are functional. Outside the hustle and bustle of Ayodhya, a spanking new bus stand is ready.
The Sarayu river, on the banks of which Ayodhya is situated, has also got attention in parts. The riverfront is being developed as a tourist destination with cafés,
eateries, watersports and light-and-sound shows.
In the years to come, Ayodhya’s transformation promises to be complete. For those who want to get away from the frenzied activity that has consumed the city, a new rooftop bar called Tipsy Town has opened outside of the 5-km, no-alcohol radius. It is an aside, though, to the Ayodhya story that is centred around the temple.