Ahead of Ram temple inauguration, Indian Railways races against time to complete renovation of station

Indian Railways is working hard to renovate the Ayodhya railway station by January 15 at the latest, just in time for the installation of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram Temple on January 22, 2024. The station is being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 241 crore to create a modern facility with a variety of passenger amenities like parking, cafeterias, shopping centers, and recreation areas. The 3,645 square meter building will be divided into two sections and feature two floors, a large circulating area, two foot over-bridges that are six meters wide, and improved platforms.

The much-anticipated installation of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ayodhya temple, which is expected to draw in 50,000 visitors every day, is set to take place on January 22, 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. To develop Ayodhya railway station and its circulating area in connection with the station’s development for religious and cultural significance, the Railways subsidiary RITES has been hired to carry out the work.

Authorities expect that on January 22, when he takes part in Lord Ram’s “pran pratistha” at the temple and the station’s subsequent inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the refurbished station. The major reconstruction is a component of the broader project to improve the Ayodhya holy city’s surrounding infrastructure. The Railways have finalised a plan that includes the addition of a second entrance to the station and an extension of the porch of the new station building to the railway boundary.

 Salient Features of the new station building

The station structure must be a green station structure with IGBC certification. Separate passenger arrival and departure times will be accommodated at the station.

Improved passenger amenities at the station include a cloak room, sick room, infant care rooms, food plazas, 14 escalators, and 12 lifts.

The structure is equipped with triple-height atriums that feature skylights to let in natural light. Both the ground floor and the first floor have waiting areas available.

30 bed retiring rooms, 30 bed women’s dormitories, 44 bed men’s dormitories, etc. are all located on the mezzanine floor.

A sewage treatment plant, staff quarters, and sufficient restrooms are expected to be included in the station, which can accommodate up to 50,000 passengers per day.

Earlier, some social media users posted a few pictures online, claiming to be of the ‘Ayodhya Railway Station’ which has the appearance of a spiritual center. Grand railway stations with pictures of Lord Shri Ram etched on the walls are depicted in the pictures. However, there are numerous spelling errors in the station’s name.