While Ayodhya gears up to witness the Ram temple’s historic Pran Prathishta ceremony on Monday, the holy city is also witnessing its rise as an economic powerhouse.
Ayodhya attracted a staggering investment commitment amounting to Rs 49,000 crore at the World Investor Summit 2023 held in Uttar Pradesh recently, ushering in a new era of economic prosperity for the region.
According to government sources, Ayodhya’s exports surged by 131 per cent in 2022-23 to Rs 254 crore in various categories, up from Rs 110 crore in the previous year.
Based on data available from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the city is likely to continue its upward trajectory and register a nearly 150% jump in exports during the current fiscal year.
Ayodhya District Secretary Gaurav Dayal expressed satisfaction over Ayodhya’s impressive export numbers and stressed that economic success goes hand in hand with inclusive development. He acknowledged that the district has made impressive progress across nine different sectors, surpassing all previous export records.
Among the export items, coal holds a dominant position with coal exports including bituminous coal worth Rs 9,061 crore and thermal coal worth Rs 3,810 crore.
Different types of coal contributed an additional Rs 4,400 billion to the export value. Exports of kraft paper and paperboard amounted to Rs 44.56 billion, while poster paper made a notable contribution of Rs 1.7 billion. The export profile further included Ayurvedic medicines (Rs 3.1 billion), parboiled rice (Rs 2.76 billion), wood pulp boards (Rs 3.1 billion) and bread making machinery (Rs 3.24 billion).
“Ayodhya’s success story reflects the company’s commitment to economic diversification and sustainable growth. The region’s unprecedented achievements highlight the potential for spiritual and economic coexistence, and the overall It is setting standards for development. This extraordinary economic journey is in line with Ayodhya’s vision of becoming a model of sustainable development and prosperity. The district’s efforts towards the development of economic sectors are It has demonstrated its resilience and adaptability, which resonates with the global investor community,” Dayal said.
Ayodhya is also set to come up as UP’s first solar city, where spirituality and sustainable energy initiatives are harmoniously combined.
The ambitious project, led by the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Authority (UPNEDA), includes the development of solar parks, solar powered boats, street lights and popularization of solar energy in public transport.
The electrification of government buildings using solar power is a testament to Ayodhya’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
Ayodhya’s transformation into a solar city will become a national spectacle as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and around 11,000 guests are expected to witness the ‘Pran Prathishtha’ consecration ceremony.
As part of the Solar City programme, Ayodhya is undergoing a remarkable transformation with the construction of a 40 MW solar power plant on 165 acres of earmarked land. This ambitious project is well underway, with a 10 MW power plant already operational and a full capacity of 40 MW expected to be operational by March 2024.
As part of the broader framework outlined in Uttar Pradesh’s Solar Energy Policy 2022, Ayodhya is set to become a pioneer in solar power innovation and a model for 17 municipal corporations, including Noida.
This multifaceted plan includes the strategic development of a solar park on the banks of the Saru River, and goes beyond infrastructure to create an eco-friendly city, including the introduction of solar energy in public transport. It also includes enhancing mobility.
Ayodhya’s solar power efforts go beyond mere technology implementation, encompassing public spaces and ensuring convenient access to clean energy, including the installation of solar-powered mobile phone charging facilities.
Promoting solar energy for domestic and domestic use represents a comprehensive approach to incorporating sustainable practices into the daily lives of Ayodhya residents.
The establishment of a 50 kW off-grid solar power plant at Bhairo Singh Gaushala demonstrates Ayodhya’s dedication to harnessing solar energy in diverse sectors. Solar-powered water stations have been installed to ensure access to a clean and sustainable water source.
In the field of rooftop solar power plants, a total capacity of 1,073 kilowatts has been established in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This initiative, coupled with extensive outreach and 80 camps, aims to accelerate the uptake of solar power and harness the benefits of the program.
Under the Babu Ji Kalyan Singh Gram Unnati Yojna on solar street lights, the 200 lighting target has been achieved, further strengthening rural infrastructure and ensuring bright public spaces.
Collectively, these achievements highlight Uttar Pradesh’s firm commitment to harnessing solar energy in various sectors, promoting sustainable development and promoting environmental conservation.