The tranquil town of Ayodhya is poised to host its inaugural international airport, just in time for the long-awaited inauguration of the Ram Temple scheduled for January next year. The first phase of this transformative project, with an estimated cost of almost Rs 400 crore, is called the "Maryada Purushottam Shriram International Airport" and is on track for completion in October 2023. According to internal sources, commercial flights will start in November or early December of the same year.

The Maryada Purushottam Shriram International Airport covers a sprawling 821 hectares and will initially connect Ayodhya to about four major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Future expansions are planned to include additional flights and destinations, positioning the holy city as a burgeoning hub for religious tourism. Ayodhya, known as the mythological birthplace of the Hindu god Ram, has significant potential to attract religious pilgrims and tourists from across the subcontinent.

This state-of-the-art airport is well equipped to handle commercial flights in varying weather conditions. The construction of a 2,200-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway and a control tower has been successfully completed. Rajeev Kulshrestha, the general manager of Ayodhya airport who oversees projects, assured that all essential groundwork, including civil, electrical and IT infrastructure, will be completed by the next month.

As the temple city of Ayodhya prepares for the unveiling of its international gateway, expectations are high for an influx of visitors and a boost to the region's cultural and religious significance. The Maryada Purushottam Shriram International Airport will play a crucial role in transforming Ayodhya into a thriving tourist hotspot.