News Excerpt:

Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the proposal to declare Ayodhya Airport as an International Airport and naming it as “Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham”. 

Key Points:

• The airport’s name, "Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham," pays homage to Maharishi Valmiki, the sage attributed to composing the epic Ramayana, adding a cultural touch to the airport's identity.

About Maharishi Valmiki International Airport:

• The airport recently got a licence for the operation of flights from the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA). 
  • It has a 2,200-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway, which can handle landing and take-off of Airbus A320, ATR-72 and Bombardier private jets in the first phase.
  • In the second phase, the airport would be opened for international flights with the expansion of the runway to 3,200 metres. 
  • It is being developed in three phases on 821 acres of land.
• According to an official of Airports Authority of India (AAI), the runway is equipped with Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) radio navigation system used to aid aircraft in determining their flight position and direction in relation to their destination using VHF (very high frequency) signals between 108.00 and 117.95 MHz sent from a radio beacon.

• Structure of Airport:

• The state-of-the-art airport, built at a cost of ₹1462.97 crore, depicts the journey of Lord Ram’s life and has unique architecture that follows the ‘Nagara Style’, outlined with scriptures, presenting a culturally rich welcome to passengers. 
• Outside the airport, a mural featuring a bow and arrow has been installed, serving as a symbolic representation of the enduring efforts of Lord Ram. 
• The landscaping of the airport is inspired by the use of colours representing the five elements (Panch Tatva).
• The main building of the airport features 7 pillars, each intricately representing the significant episodes of the Ramayana.
• The airport also features two distinct types of mural plaques, namely ‘Daivik and Khandika’. 
• In addition to this, a wall mural dedicated to Lord Hanuman has also been installed depicting his entire journey. 
• The airport also boasts of a striking 3-storey high ‘Ram Darbar’ and a depiction of the Sita-Ram marriage crafted in Madhubani painting, offering a captivating experience for visitors.

Significance of such steps:

• Elevating Ayodhya Airport to international status is paramount for realizing Ayodhya's economic potential and its significance as a global pilgrimage site, opening doors to foreign pilgrims and tourists.
• Ayodhya, with its deep cultural roots is strategically positioned to become a key economic hub and pilgrimage site. 
• The airport's potential to attract international pilgrims and businesses aligns with the city's historical prominence.