Uttar Pradesh government to build 'Tourism Facilitation Center' in Ayodhya at a cost of Rs 130 crore

Ayodhya: With the inauguration of the Ram temple, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is planning to establish a Tourism Facilitation Center in Ayodhya. This center will cater to the needs of the numerous tourists expected to visit Ayodhya. The facility is envisioned to cover an area of 4.40 acres and is estimated to cost around Rs 130 crore. This initiative is aimed at providing convenience and amenities to the visitors coming to Ayodhya.

According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's office, the Tourism Facilitation Center in Ayodhya, planned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, will be strategically located for easy access. It will be situated in a predetermined area in Ayodhya to ensure connectivity with National Highway 330 and National Highway 27.
“Under the project, various commercial centers, including a tourism office, passenger accommodation, art and craft center, food court, shopping mart, and parking space, will be developed in the tourist center. It is believed that within the next one and a half months, the project will come on the ground and the process of materialising the works will begin,” the release stated.
The Uttar Pradesh state government is dedicated to expeditiously completing this project. To achieve this, the Tourism Department is planning to execute the project through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, specifically the Design Build Finance Operate Transfer (DBFOT) model. The project's comprehensive action plan also addresses the status of existing sites in Ayodhya, outlining whether they will be removed or retained as part of the project.
It's worth mentioning that the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has already issued invitations for bidding through the e-tender portal. Four companies have been chosen as applicants. In the next steps, these companies will be invited for financial bidding, and the selected company will receive a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a Concession Agreement from the Uttar Pradesh Government.
These works will be completed under the Master Plan 2031 for the integrated development of Ayodhya. It is noteworthy that various facilities will be developed in this tourism facilitation center. “These include passenger accommodation (comprised of dormitories, banquets, and MICE facilities). There will also be a central tourist hub, a tourism office, and a commercial area that includes an art and craft gallery, a shopping precinct, a food court, cafeterias, and restaurants. Additionally, an amphitheatre, landscaped public spaces with amenities, adequate parking space, and services (water, power, and DG backup),” as per the statement.
The project will also involve infrastructure enhancements such as street lighting, drainage systems, and security and surveillance features including firefighting equipment, CCTV, and HVAC systems. According to the pre-established plot layout, internal road layout, utilities, and the promotion of green spaces outlined in the Ayodhya Master Plan 2031, the developers will need to get their business plan approved by the Tourism Department. The construction work for the project will follow these guidelines and directives.
The Ayodhya Tourism Facilitation Center will comprise a total built-up area of 3,273 square meters, which will encompass shelter homes, craft villages, toilet facilities, and HAT (Hindu, Airport, and Tourist) structures. The main access route to this site will be from Chowk Ayodhya Road.
“As part of the project, some existing infrastructure may need to be removed or restructured. Two structures, Night Shelters and Shilpgram, can potentially be removed for area expansion under the project. However, the final decision regarding their removal has not been made yet, and it will be specified in the letter of intent if and when the decision is taken,” the release stated.
Moreover, the designated area of Ramkatha Park, which will feature a stage with an amphitheater, and Quin Ho Memorial Park, will be preserved within the project. There's also the potential for work to be conducted on the canal extension connecting the Tourism Facilitation Centre and the Cultural Museum.
(With ANI inputs)
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