UP Cabinet's Decision: Tata Sons to Build ₹650 Crore 'Museum of Temples' in Ayodhya

On June 25, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet gave the green light to Tata Sons' proposal to construct a "temple museum" in Ayodhya, with an estimated budget of ₹750 crore.

Tourism Minister Jaivir Singh detailed the decision, explaining that the tourism department would lease Tata Sons' land for this international-level museum for 90 years, charging a nominal fee of Re 1.

Ayodhya Museum Project Update

The Union government has partnered with Tata Sons to build a ₹650 crore museum in Ayodhya. Following a cabinet meeting, Jaiveer Singh informed reporters that the project would be managed by Tata Sons using its corporate social responsibility (CSR) budget. 

Additionally, an extra ₹100 crore will be allocated for undertaking additional development projects in the temple town. 

The Ayodhya district administration introduced the concept to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023.

According to Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, construction of the first floor of the temple is expected to be completed by the end of next month, with work on the second floor commencing thereafter. The complete Ram temple complex is expected to be completed by March 25, 2025

Other Decisions made by the Cabinet

During the cabinet meeting, several other significant decisions were made concerning tourism. The cabinet has approved the launch of a CM Tourism Fellowship Programme and the introduction of helicopter rides, among other initiatives.

CM Tourism Fellowship Programme

The cabinet also approved the CM Tourism Fellowship Program, which aims to select researchers through the tourism department. In the first phase of this initiative, 25 researchers will be chosen. Each researcher will receive an honorarium of ₹40,000, out of which ₹30,000 will be allocated for compensation and ₹10,000 for field visits and other expenses. The researchers will also be provided with a tablet along with the stipend.

This program is expected to accelerate investment in the tourism sector and boost tourism in the state.

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Helicopter Services under PPP

Additionally, the cabinet meeting approved the establishment of helipads in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kapilvastu under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Heritage Buildings in Tourist Spots

According to the minister, a plan to turn abandoned historic buildings into tourist attractions was also approved by the cabinet. Three such historic structures were chosen to be developed as tourist destinations: Shukla Talab (pond) in Kanpur, Barsana Jal Mahal in Mathura, and Kothi Roshan Dulha in Lucknow.

The Tourism department intends to operate the shuttered or loss-making Tourist Bungalows under the PPP mode by leasing them at Munshiganj (Amethi), Khurja (Bulandshahr), Devi Sharif (Barabanki), and Hargaon (Sitapur). Other places that are to be included are Gopiganj (Bhadohi), Kapilvastu (Siddharth Nagar), Sikohabad (Firozabad), Vidhayachal (Mirzapur), Etawah, Kachkla (Badaun), and Jheel Mahal restaurant (Mau).

The tourism department will also develop the birthplace of Paramhans Yogananda in Askarganj, Gorakhpur, into a tourist spot. They have allocated 460 square meters of land for this project.

Proposed Legal Reforms Approved

Additionally, the state cabinet approved a plan to implement the Centre's decision to replace the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 as the new penal law of the nation. This new Act will be implemented along with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023.

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