Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Tuesday holiday that all educational institutions in the state will be closed on January 22 in view of the Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. Additionally, liquor shops will remain closed on the same day, ensuring a respectful atmosphere for the sacred event.
As preparations intensify for the Pran Pratishta ceremony of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, the state government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is focusing on providing a comfortable and hassle-free experience for devotees attending the event. The Transport Department has initiated a plan to reserve taxi and tourist bus vehicles as needed during the various programs organized in Ayodhya.
Under the directives of CM Yogi, the Transport Department is working to ensure that taxi and tourist bus drivers adhere to safety measures and provide excellent service to devotees. Drivers have been instructed to practice safe driving, follow traffic rules, maintain good behavior with tourists, and wear uniforms. Additionally, drivers are prohibited from any form of intoxication and chewing tobacco during this time on the day of holiday.
The state government is emphasizing the cleanliness of vehicles and has issued a warning against charging passengers more than the specified fare. The plan aims to create a smooth transportation arrangement while prioritizing the convenience of the devotees during the sacred program.
Transport Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Singh highlighted that taxi and bus drivers in Ayodhya are undergoing training to ensure compliance with specified points, including safe driving, adherence to traffic rules, improved behavior towards tourists, and strict adherence to guidelines.
Enforcement teams equipped with interceptor vehicles are deployed on all routes within a 200 km radius of Ayodhya. They address issues related to road safety, such as overloading, drunk driving, wrong-side driving, and overcharging.
To assist tourists, help desks of the Transport Department will be set up at toll plazas between Lucknow and Ayodhya, Gorakhpur and Ayodhya, and Sultanpur and Ayodhya. The department is utilizing various communication channels, including newspapers, publicity vans, digital banners, and social media platforms, to promote safe travel and road safety.
During his visit to the Tent City developed by the Trust, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai provided Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with insights into the arrangements at Teerth Kshetra Puram. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for cleanliness similar to the system implemented during the Kumbh festival.
During his tour, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited various areas, including Mahant Avedyanath Ji Nagar, Omkar Bhave Nagar, and Vamdev Ji Maharaj Nagar, examining preparations and emphasizing the utmost priority on cleanliness. He expressed the need for a cleanliness system akin to the one implemented during the Kumbh festival. The Chief Minister also inspected the Municipal Corporation Water Works Building in Beniganj Amaniganj, observing ongoing development works.
The preparations underscore the state’s commitment to ensuring a sacred and organized environment for the significant Pran Pratishta ceremony of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple on January 22 as a holiday was declared on the day.