The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has obtained special permission from the Center to build a 68-kilometer greenfield bypass in Ayodhya and surrounding districts, with a budget of Rs 3,570 crore. The project intends to address the predicted increase in traffic following the Ram temple’s inauguration. The construction will be done through a public-private partnership (PPP), with completion expected in two and a half years.
The Road Transport and Highway Ministry has demanded special sanction from the Center to construct a 68-kilometer greenfield bypass in Ayodhya and surrounding districts at a cost of Rs 3,570 crore. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has requested proposals for a 4- or 6-lane expressway that will run through Lucknow, Basti, and Gonda districts.
The project, which is separated into North Ayodhya and South Ayodhya bypasses, is intended to accommodate the predicted increase in passenger and freight vehicle traffic in the region following the inauguration of the Ram temple. Daily traffic is expected to increase from 89,023 vehicles today to 2.17 lakh vehicles by 2033. The bypass will be built using a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
According to sources, the road ministry requested special sanctions because the finance ministry advised against launching any new projects under Bharatmala for the time being. Furthermore, because the project exceeds Rs 1,000 crore in cost, the government must obtain clearance from an apex council that analyzes PPP projects. NHAI intends to complete the project in two and a half years.
The Uttar Pradesh government plans to invest Rs 85,000 crore in developing Ayodhya into an economic and tourism powerhouse as part of the Master Plan 2031 to improve infrastructure in and around the temple town. The reconstruction plan is ten years in duration and focuses on infrastructure and tourism. The district is already experiencing an increase in tourist traffic from 0.6 crore in 2021-22 to 2.3 crore in 2022-23, resulting in a rise in hotel beds to 3,322, with further applications accepted.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Uttar Pradesh government’s public works department manage projects worth Rs 10,000 crore and Rs 7,500 crore, respectively. The Ayodhya Dham Railway Station is being renovated with contemporary amenities at a cost of Rs 430 crore. Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, which opened in December at a cost of Rs 328 crore, is also expected to provide a convenient gateway for passengers.
