• This article presents views on Ayodhya, before and after Pran Pratishta. One is by a resident and another by a techie whose family lives in Ayodhya but he does not.

For nearly 500 years, ever since destruction of the Sri Ram Mandir Ayodhya was in strife, more so from the 1980s. It attracted devotees mainly from the state, app 25000 per day. The numbers swelled up during Ram Navami and Diwali. After the 2019 Supreme Court order on building the Ram Mandir there was a rush to move Ram Lalla from a tent to the grand mandir and upgrade the infrastructure of Ayodhya.

Post Pran Pratishtha it has become a prime pilgrimage destination for Hindus worldwide including residents of South Korea and countries of Southeast Asia where the Ramayan was popular.

Post 2019 Ayodhya was under national spotlight to see what the government would develop the city. The Pran Pratishtha on January 22, 2024 brought Indians from across the world. For those who travelled all the way and who saw it on national television it was a once in a life time experience. For those who had their shops broken to make a new road it was perhaps not. Read  Experience of  Pran Pratishtha

Many outside Ayodhya were taken back with the extent of changeover so when temple leaked during monsoons of 2024, they hit back asking what temple have you made. People forget that in earlier times huge temples took anywhere from fifty to two hundred years to make. The Sri Ram Mandir was partially complete in about four years was no mean feat. Only when the mandir is complete can we comment on leakages and architecture.

Article authors Insiders Account and Ankush Tiwari.

1. Local Resident View   

Ayodhya, a city steeped in history and religious significance, has undergone substantial changes since the announcement and subsequent inauguration of the Ram Mandir. While the promise of transformation on paper is commendable, the ground reality paints a more nuanced picture.

Promising Plans, Flawed Implementation

The blueprint for Ayodhya's development was ambitious, envisioning improved infrastructure, enhanced tourism, and better amenities. However, the execution of these plans has been less than satisfactory. Many of the proposed developments have either been delayed or poorly implemented, causing frustration among residents.

Ram Path on eve of Pran Pratishtha.

Ram Path: A Double-Edged Sword

One of the significant infrastructural projects is the Ram Path, a road connecting the highway to the temple. This road is a testament to modern engineering and has significantly improved accessibility. However, its construction came at a high cost. Numerous houses and shops were demolished to make way for Ram Path, displacing many families and businesses. The lack of adequate compensation and support for those affected has led to widespread discontent.

Political Backlash

The discontent among the displaced residents was palpable during the recent Parliamentary polls. The ruling BJP government, which fast-tracked the temple's inauguration to garner electoral support, faced backlash for its handling of the development projects. The dissatisfaction among the voters was a crucial factor in the BJP's electoral defeat in Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency of which Ayodhya is a part.

The Yogi government got the message. Local traders/shopkeepers who were affected by the Ram Path project were allowed to acquire 500 new shops through interest-free, long-term instalment plan. Read

Inadequate Compensation and Forced Evictions

The process of demolishing houses and shops for development was marked by a lack of empathy. Many families were left without proper housing or financial support, exacerbating their plight. This heavy-handed approach has left a lasting scar on the community, contributing to the prevailing unhappiness.

Hastily Inaugurated Temple, Stagnant Progress

The Ram Mandir temple's inauguration was rushed to coincide with the elections, a move that initially paid off politically. However, post-inauguration, the pace of associated development slowed considerably. Projects that were supposed to complement the temple and enhance the city's infrastructure have been sluggish, leaving many promises unfulfilled.

The prevalent VIP culture exacerbates the situation, creating long wait times and inconvenience for ordinary devotees who come for darshan. Because of numerous VIP visits, the roads are frequently shut down causing inconvenience to locals.

Renovated Ayodhya Dham Railway Station.

Economic Boost with Caveats

The temple has undeniably brought a surge of devotees and businesses to Ayodhya, boosting the local economy. New hotels, restaurants, home stays and shops have sprung up, creating job opportunities and increasing revenue. However, this economic upturn has not been universally beneficial. The displaced families and businesses, along with those struggling with inadequate infrastructure, feel left out of this newfound prosperity.

However, this is just the beginning. If the government and the people of Ayodhya work together this prosperity can continue for times to come.

Airport: A Major Leap Forward

One of the most significant developments was the construction of an airport in Ayodhya. This new facility has made travel more convenient for both residents and devotes thereby reducing dependence on neighboring cities like Lucknow for flights. Who would have imagined direct flights from Ayodhya to Mumbai

The revamped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station with modern amenities is impressive. Hope devotees and locals use the escalators with care. 

The airport and railway stations are crucial steps in making Ayodhya more accessible and integrated with the broader region.

New Bus Stand at Ayodhya.

Conclusion

The transformation of Ayodhya following the Ram Mandir’s announcement and inauguration is a story of contrasts. While the city has seen infrastructural improvements and got an economic boost, these developments have come at a significant human cost. Displacement of residents, inadequate compensation and slow implementation of projects have marred the progress. 

As Ayodhya continues to evolve, it is crucial for the authorities to address these challenges and ensure that development benefits all sections of society.

Eventually, I believe that Ayodhya residents need to be patient, more involved in designing local infrastructure, welcome devotees with open arms, grab opportunities and be prepared to becoming India’s Vatican. Due to extreme heat and cold, devotees need to be taken care of which is where the proposed Apollo Hospitals Emergency Centre will come in handy. 

Radison Hotel at Ayodhya.

2. Ankush Tiwari, a techie who lives in Western India but comes from a family of farmers who continue to live in Ayodhya, shares a different view.

What was the situation Pre Ram Mandir

1. Everyday footfall – 25,000

2. ⁠Employment opportunities - Mainly agriculture based economy and almost zero tourism. 

3. ⁠Ayodhya recognition inside the country and outside – hardly. 

4. ⁠Connectivity - No Airport and limited Trains. 

Today footfalls are nearly 1 lakh daily, employment opportunities grown to cater to rush of devotees and township building, airport with direct flights and renovated station with Vande Bharat train from Delhi.

People must make devotees feel welcome, treat them well, make stay comfortable and enjoy the growth that the city shall see. First opportunity always comes to locals and if they grab it with both hands they are in for success. It goes outside, when locals don’t become part of the success and are not adapting to the changes the increased economic and other activities bring.

Earlier social attitude was happy go lucky. Now the world is at your feet.

There are two ways to see it - We see progress as a dampner and become a critic of it. We need to see it with open eyes and participate in growth rather than becoming a viewer. 

In our approach we typically mix progress and hardships that come during the transition. Example when new roads, metros are made citizens go through lot of trouble while it is being made. But once completed everyone enjoys. I have seen that happen in Delhi and Pune.

As citizens we have to be prepared for growth pains if we wish to enjoy success.

Locals get upset with construction all over, land acquisitions, VIP movements but if one observes carefully these are signs of a capital returning to being a capital and providing opportunities to its citizens.

Also when growth happens scamsters show up, causing harm to lot of sentiment but in the long run the positives will outplay growing pains.

The Apollo Hospitals Group announced the launch of a of a state-of-the-art multi-specialty emergency medical centre at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi pilgrimage site in Ayodhya. Chairman Dr Reddy said a wide range of services would be available at the Centre. It is expected to start functioning by end August/September 2024.

Tatas to build a India Temple Museum at Ayodhya at a cost of Rs 650 crs.

Locals and those Ayodhya residents who migrated for lack of opportunity must track the developments, be patient and grab opportunities that come their way.

Read, reflect and decide for yourself.

Also read

1. Big relief for Ayodhya Traders

2. Ayodhya – An Ancient city’s new beginnings, in photos