Ayodhya (UP), Nov 9 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday decided to implement a host of important proposals, including setting up of of Inland Waterways Authority, Ayodhya Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad, construction of a Temple Museum in 25 acres of land and giving international status to Ayodhya Research Institute.
The proposals were approved during the meeting of the state cabinet, which was chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It may be noted that the cabinet meeting was held in Ayodhya for the first time.
Talking to the media after the cabinet meeting, Yogi said that as many as 178 projects worth Rs 30,500 crore were already being implemented with the cooperation of the center and the state for the overall development of Ayodhya.
He said, “Ayodhya is moving towards a new era. Today the whole world is getting attracted towards Ayodhya. Keeping this in mind, the cabinet has taken important decisions.”
The CM said that the first proposal that was approved by the cabinet was to form an Inland Waterways Authority for the first time in UP. “About Uttar Pradesh it was said that it is a land locked state. Countries which have waterways have progressed. Even within the country, those states were progressing which had waterways, as it provided export facilities,” he said.
He said, “We are all grateful to Prime Minister Modi who started the country’s first inland waterways between Varanasi and Haldia. Inland Waterway Authority will help in promoting water transport in UP. Besides, it will promote water sports, increase tourism facilities and also help in developing UP as an export hub.”
Yogi said, “Ayodhya is very important from this point of view, because it is said that 2,000 years ago, the princess of Ayodhya had gone to South Korea by waterway, got married to the prince there, and became a part of the important dynasty there. There are about 12 rivers in the state that are very important for water transport.”
He said, “This facilities can be developed in all the rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Saryu, Rapti and Gomti. Therefore, this authority will work together with the Union Government and facilities will be developed to supply UP’s traditional products to the world market.”
The CM said that keeping in mind the large number of devotees who are going to visit Ayodhya after the construction of a grand Ram temple, a proposal for set up Shri Ayodhya Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad was approved.
He said that for a smooth holding of festivals and better facilities for visitors, help should be sought from the central government and charitable organisations.
Yogi said that a proposal for the process of setting up of Maa Pateshwari Dham Devipatan Teerth Development Council was also passed by the cabinet. “It is an important pilgrimage site, where devotees from Nepal come here in large numbers, especially on the occasion of Navratri,” he said.
He said that along with this, a proposal from Shukratirtha Development Council was also passed. “We all know that in this pilgrimage site is located in Muzaffarnagar district, where King Parikshit first heard the story of Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran and attained salvation. Our government has succeeded in bringing the flow of Ganga there and now we are working to take it forward through Tirtha Vikas Parishad,” he said.
The CM said that the proposal to give 25 acres of land in Majha Jamthara in Ayodhya to the Temple Museum has been approved. He said that the devotees visiting Ayodhya will not only have darshan but also learn about the rich architecture of the temples in India through the museum.
“The proposal has been passed so that we can present the history of all the temples, built in different periods, before everyone through the Temple Museum,” he said.
Yogi said, “Along with this, it has been decided to expand the Ayodhya Research Institute and give it the status of an international research institute. The expanded institute will incorporate the story of Ramayana, as it is seen in different countries of the world, including India, and link it with the tradition of Vedic knowledge to present a comprehensive vision of life.”
He said that the cabinet has also passed the proposal to accord state status to several fair held in the state.
“The cabinet has decided to give the status of state fair to the Dwar Dehri Lakhi fair of Braj, held in Hathras in the memory of Dauji Maharaj. Besides, all the fairs that are organised in Ayodhya, be it the fair of Kartik Purnima, Ram Navami, Deepotsav, Makar Sankranti or Vasant Panchami,” he said.
The CM said, “All these have been given the status of state fair, so that in the coming time, money will be spent in organising them, ensuring there is no shortage. Apart from this, Kartik Purnima fair to be held in Anupshahr of Bulandshahr and Dev Diwali program in Kashi have also been given the status of state fair.”
He said, “It has been decided to provide basic facilities to tourists to increase eco-tourism in Sohgibarwa Wildlife Division located in Maharajganj district.”
