Pre-monsoon rains have lashed parts of North India, including the national capital Delhi and the tourist town of Ayodhya, leading to flooding and highlighting the city’s inadequate infrastructure. The newly inaugurated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has come under scrutiny as reports surfaced of its roof leaking during the recent rainfall. Acharya Satyendra Das, the temple’s chief priest, expressed his surprise at the situation, stating that despite the presence of numerous engineers and the temple’s Pran Pratishtha ceremony held on January 22nd, water is seeping through the roof. The following day, PTI reported that heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in various parts of Ayodhya, forcing locals and tourists to navigate ankle-deep water across the city. Videos captured the entrance to the new Ram Temple inundated with water, while devotees lined up outside. The entrance roof was also missing sheets, leaving those standing beneath exposed to the elements.
Residents of Jalwanpura Colony, located near the Ram Mandir, have reported water entering their homes, impacting guest houses and causing inconveniences for tourists and devotees. Amarinder Shukla, a local resident, stated that the waterlogging has created difficulties for guests, as even bikes and four-wheelers struggle to access the area. He further emphasized the issue of extremely dirty water. Another local resident, who chose to remain anonymous, attributed the mess to hasty construction and flawed infrastructure planning. He pointed out that the infrastructure plan for Ayodhya contains numerous flaws, creating problems for both locals and tourists. The resident believes that the hurried nature of the construction work reflects a lack of care and attention to detail.
Social media has been buzzing with visuals depicting the situation in Ayodhya even before the monsoon season officially begins. The city has garnered significant attention as the BJP and NDA campaigned heavily on the promise of infrastructure development and the Ram Mandir project. The recent events have raised concerns about the city’s preparedness for the monsoon season and the effectiveness of the infrastructure projects undertaken. The flooding and waterlogging issues in Ayodhya underscore the need for a comprehensive and well-planned approach to urban development, particularly in areas experiencing significant tourist influx and religious importance.
