Ayodhya's locals hope to cash in on new rush
Ayodhya Cruise Line' jetty comes up at Naya Ghat, with boards advertising rides on a 45-foot long 'Jatayu' cruise ship, costing Rs 300 per person. An Ayodhya Haat nearby, that will feature handicrafts by local artisans, is being given the final touches.
Meanwhile, small shopkeepers along the 13-km 'Ram Path' sit patiently in their shops, waiting for the claimed deluge of devotees.
The inauguration of the Ram temple on Monday has unlocked significant potential in Ayodhya's economy, now expected to be turbocharged by close to a lakh devotees estimated to visit the town every day.
While there is hopeful anticipation, thousands of shopkeepers selling religious merchandise, books, garments and snacks, also harbour resentment against the government for being allegedly shortchanged during the infrastructure development process like the widening of roads.
«There has been about 25% increment in business in the last few months owing to the buzz around Ayodhya. While we expect our business to increase, for a significant impact, we will have to offer devotees more tourist attractions that make them stay.
Right now, they only take a dip in the Saryu, visit the temples and go back,» said Vikram, a young seller of bags and clothing at the Ram Path which branches into the Janmbhoomi path.
And tourism and hospitality is being developed as a driver of the economy. A total of 8,509 projects with an investment of Rs 4,299 crore are ready for «ground breaking», according to official information.
The international airport has already guaranteed higher footfall.
Boating at Guptar Ghat will form part of the organised tourism industry. Currently, the boatmen, belonging to the Nishad community, ferry tourists and are hopeful of more
