Worth over Rs 1,450 crore, flights from 3 cities: All about Ayodhya airport
The newly-constructed Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram Ayodhya International Airport is poised to become a major gateway to the temple town. The cost of the first phase of construction for the airport is estimated to be approximately Rs 1,450 crore.
On December 30, IndiGo and Air India Express will operate inaugural flights to the newly-opened airport. Both airlines have already announced flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad to Ayodhya, commencing in January 2024.
According to airport sources, the concept behind the new airport aims to reflect the spirit of the Ram Mandir, invoking the joyous return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a victorious battle against the demon king, Ravana. This concept intends to impart a “sense of place to all passengers arriving and departing from the airport”, said the sources.
The terminal building’s roof is adorned with shikharas of varying heights, emphasising the grandeur of the structure. Alongside these diverse shikharas, the terminal features decorative columns detailing key events from the Ramayana epic.
Airport authorities said that walking through the colonnade will provide an immersive experience for travellers as it visually narrates the story of Lord Rama. Additionally, a secondary colonnade on the glass facade of the terminal aims to recreate the ambience of the palace of Ayodhya.
The new terminal building, spanning 6,500 square meters, is designed to accommodate 600 peak-hour passengers, with an annual handling capacity of 10 lakh passengers.
Sources said that the second phase of development will include the construction of a new terminal building spanning 50,000 square meters, capable of handling 3,000 passengers during peak hours and 60 lakh passengers annually. This phase will also involve runway extension up to 3,750 meters to accommodate Code E B-777 type aircraft, a Parallel Taxi Track, and Apron for an additional 18 aircraft parking stands.
