Shruti Suman
The inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is expected to draw a large crowd, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to arrange direct buses from Noida to Ayodhya. An official from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) Noida Depot revealed that they will soon introduce these direct bus services. Currently, there are no direct buses to Ayodhya from Noida Depot, and the existing CNG buses have limitations in covering extensive distances in one go.
According to NP Singh, the Assistant Regional Manager of UPSRTC Noida, a CNG bus can cover up to 500km on a full tank. As the distance from Noida to Ayodhya is around 650km, a route chart has been devised, taking into account the bus range. Since UPSRTC buses cannot fill CNG from unauthorized fuel stations, arrangements will be made for a CNG filling facility in Lucknow to cover the entire distance.
Details regarding the ticket fare structure from Noida to Ayodhya are yet to be finalized, and the official assured that an announcement will be made once decisions are made. The UPSRTC Noida Depot plans to start with one or two buses for Ayodhya and will consider adding more based on the increasing demand.
In addition to this initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is also contemplating the introduction of electric buses to Ayodhya. Activities for efficient crowd management, darshan, worship, and travel are set to be undertaken after January 22. Electric buses, along with golf carts and e-rickshaws, will provide enhanced transportation facilities, connecting Ayodhya seamlessly.
District Magistrate Nitish Kumar anticipates a continuous rise in the number of pilgrims and tourists in Ayodhya. To accommodate this, electric buses are scheduled to operate on the Dharma Path and Ram Path, with 100 buses commencing operations from January 15. The preparations, following the state government’s directives, include the construction of corridors, designated parking spaces, and development of parking lots along Chaudah Kosi and Panchkosi Parikrama routes. The aim is to ensure Ayodhya’s smooth connectivity through various transportation facilities, including electric vehicles (EVs).
