Ayodhya will be a model for sustainable development for all Indian cities: Dikshu Kukreja

Kukreja noted that the government wanted Ayodhya to be steeped in its cultural legacy but also remade as a global spiritual destination. He said, “Here is a city which has realised its potential and it is going be on the global stage. So a clear vision document was drawn up not just to enhance its infrastructure but also to showcase its cultural legacy.”

Kukreja noted that since Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage centre, it was important to make it experiential beyond just making edifices of glass and steel. He said, “This city has been envisioned to be a city for the common man, so there are plenty of public spaces designed.”

According to Kukreja, they had to consider the descriptions and narrations about Ayodhya from centuries-old texts to make it a cultural experience. “The Sarayu has been turned into the spine of the city from being its backyard. The river will become a vibrant public space just the way riverfronts have been described in ancient texts.”

Universally accessible:

The architect noted that to attract visitors to Ayodhya, the city has been made universally accessible, pointing out, “Simple interventions such as making curves in the sidewalks to provide for wheelchairs and adding more benches in the city have made it accessible. Such things will make a common man feel like they belong to the place.”

He noted simple things such as covering open drains and giving uniform signage, among others, are the urban design guidelines that the city is going to follow with its development, adding, “Once such clear and visible guidelines are in place, they become enforceable.”

Kukreja said that Ayodhya is envisioned to be a vibrant city for both residents and visitors with amenities and facilities. He said the vision document for Ayodhya makes it clear as to where the investment for its development should come from: “The way the vision document lays itself, there is a correct balance of where the infrastructure investment comes from the government and where the private sector needs to come in. If you are only going to be dependent on the government for infrastructure investment, it is never going to work out.”

On the hospitality front, Kukreja underlined that Ayodhya will have accommodations that will cover all income brackets, including homestays.

Blueprint inspired by other holy cities

Kukreja stated that a lot of research went into Ayodhya’s master plan. He said, “We looked at international examples like Vatican City, Angkor Wat and Pashupathinath to take proper learnings and know the good and the bad, what succeeded and what did not.”

He noted that many Indian pilgrimage cities were looked into as well and it was important to strike a balance between taking care of the needs of the locals and managing the requirements of tourists.

Many temple towns across the country have reportedly witnessed a boom in tourism in the post-Covid phases. Driven by infrastructure development, Ayodhya is likely to join the club. In fact, according to reports, the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and even the run-up to the event has led to a jump in tourism.

Watch the interview here