Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday welcomed by various groups of artists from across the country as he arrived in Ayodhya to inaugurate the redeveloped railway station and a new airport. While on his way to the railway station, the Prime Minister held a roadshow where more than 1,400 performers presented folk art and cultural programs on a total of 40 stages set up along the route, Ram Path.
The Prime Minister will also participate in a public event later, where several development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore will be inaugurated. The consecration ceremony at the Ram temple will be held on January 22.
AYODHYA GEARS UP FOR PM MODI's VISIT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ayodhya town on Saturday to inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and a new airport. He will also address a public rally near the airport.
Following his arrival, the Prime Minister held a roadshow on the stretch between the airport and the railway station and acknowledged the greetings of the people of Ayodhya. On Thursday, the administration had begun work on putting up temporary wooden barricades on both sides of the recently redeveloped Ram Path and other roads that would fall on his route on his way to the railway station from the airport.
Large posters bearing Prime Minister Modi's image and carrying a message of welcome to the "holy city of Ayodhya" were put up at various prominent locations in the temple town.
During his Ayodhya visit, PM Modi will also flag off two new Amrit Bharat and six new Vande Bharat trains, his office said on Thursday.
Modi will launch projects worth more than Rs 11,100 crore to revamp civic facilities and develop world-class infrastructure in Ayodhya and projects worth over Rs 4,600 crore for other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
To enhance accessibility to the upcoming Ram temple, he will also inaugurate four newly redeveloped, widened and beautified roads in Ayodhya - Ram Path, Bhakti Path, Dharm Path, and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Path, the PMO said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who arrived in Ayodhya on Friday, will stay in the town for the Prime Minister's visit. Ayodhya District Magistrate Nitish Kumar told PTI the Chief Minister will also hold a review meeting in Ayodhya.
Besides Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, local MPs and MLAs and a few party functionaries will also be present.
Prime Minister Modi's visit also comes less than a month before the 'pran pratishtha' (consecration) of the upcoming Ram temple. The grand Ram temple is currently under construction in Ayodhya, with the consecration ceremony to be held on January 22, which will be attended by the Prime Minister.
A large number of people are expected to descend to Ayodhya close to the consecration ceremony, and the city is getting decked up for the big day.
A set of imposing sun-themed columns -- 'Surya Stambhs' have been installed along a prominent street in the holy city, which falls on the routes of his VVIP movement. Along this road -- Dharm Path -- near Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, interpretation walls are being set up at regular intervals on both sides, depicting the life of Lord Ram.
