Plans are in motion to establish air connectivity between Sangam city and Ayodhya, introducing a small aircraft service between the two locations. This development is geared toward assisting religious tourists and individuals with constrained schedules. The proposal has been forwarded to both the state and central governments, and a trial run is anticipated to commence in January 2024. This endeavor is part of a broader initiative aiming to extend air links to all cities within the Ramayana circuit, ultimately boosting tourism in the region. The Ramayana Circuit, recognized as one of the 15 thematic circuits for advancement under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, stands to benefit significantly from this endeavor.
The inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya Dham and the upcoming consecration of Ram Lalla at the Ram temple scheduled for January 22 have sparked initiatives to establish air connectivity between Sangam city and Ayodhya.
The proposed initiative involves launching a 20-seater small aircraft service connecting two cities, aimed at benefiting elderly religious tourists and visitors with packed schedules who aim to explore numerous holy towns in the state. Keshari Devi Patel, the Chairperson of the Airport Advisory Committee at Prayagraj Airport and Phulpur MP, has spearheaded this endeavor, recognizing its potential significance.
She mentioned that the state government has implemented various initiatives to boost the development of Uttar Pradesh’s religiously significant cities, aiming to bolster religious tourism and create job opportunities for locals. “Our goal is to establish air connectivity between Prayagraj and the revered cities of Ayodhya and Chitrakoot, enabling pilgrims and tourists to reach these sacred destinations in just 30 to 35 minutes,” she emphasized.
To materialize this plan, the Airports Authority of India has invited airline companies to operate small aircraft connecting these cities. A formal proposal, following discussions within the Airport Advisory Committee of Prayagraj Airport, has been forwarded to both state and central governments. They have expressed their preliminary support for this initiative.
Officials are contemplating a trial run for the small aircraft service between Prayagraj and Ayodhya as early as the third week of January 2024. Success in this trial could significantly enhance the government’s efforts to provide air connectivity to all key cities within the Ramayana circuit, thus attracting more tourists to the Prayagraj region.
The Ramayana Circuit, part of the Swadesh Darshan scheme by the Union tourism ministry, constitutes fifteen destinations earmarked for development. These include Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringverpur in Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh, along with Sitamarhi, Buxar, and Darbhanga in Bihar, Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, and various others in states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
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