The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, also known as the Ayodhya Airport, is set to become the fifth airport in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. Developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, the estimated cost of the project is Rs 350 crore. Once completed, UP will be the only state in India with five international airports.
Currently, the state has two operational international airports – Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow) and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi). Construction is also underway for Kushinagar International Airport (Gorakhpur) and Noida International Airport (Jewar).
Several states have expressed interest in acquiring land in Ayodhya, as online registration for the allocation of plots for mutts, ashrams, and commercial purposes is scheduled to begin on November 10. With the grand inauguration of the Ram Temple set for January 22 next year in Ayodhya, states are keen on establishing their guest houses in the vicinity.
The Yogi Adityanath-led government has already allocated 6,000 square meters of land to Gujarat for its state guest house in the proposed Ayodhya Greenfield township project. Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh have approached the UP government for land allocation in Ayodhya.
In preparation for the new greenfield township project, the state government plans to launch online applications for plot allocation on November 10. The project will cover 1,407 acres on both sides of the Lucknow-Gorakhpur highway, with an additional 442-acre extension planned for the second phase. The township aims to accommodate mutts, ashrams, dharamshalas, and commercial establishments.
Online registration for mutts and ashrams will conclude on November 30, while commercial plot allocation through e-auction will begin on November 10, ending on November 24, with the auction scheduled for November 25. The initial phase will include 28 plots for mutts and ashrams, ranging from 1,966 to 10,417 square meters, and 12 commercial plots, measuring 1,543 to 9,252 square meters. Plot prices will be determined at the Housing Board meeting on November 9. The state government envisions the Ayodhya Greenfield township project as a solution to ease congestion in the temple town, anticipating a surge in devotees following the opening of the Ram temple.
