Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ayodhya to inaugurate the refurbished Ayodhya Dham railway station and unveil the newly-constructed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. This visit preceded the consecration of the Ram temple scheduled for January 22, 2024. During the visit, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for various development projects valued at over Rs 157 billion in the state. Among them were initiatives amounting to approximately Rs 111 billion for the development of Ayodhya and its environs, as well as projects totalling around Rs 46 billion across Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the public, the Prime Minister expressed his joy at naming Ayodhya Airport after Maharishi Valmiki. He emphasised that Maharishi Valmiki's Ramayana represents the path of knowledge connecting individuals to Shri Ram. The modern Maharishi Valmiki International Airport is envisioned to link Ayodhya Dham and the newly-constructed Ram temple, with an initial capacity to accommodate 10 lakh passengers annually in the first phase. After the second phase, the airport is expected to cater to 60 lakh commuters annually. The state-of-the-art airport, developed at a cost exceeding Rs 14.5 billion in Phase 1, features a terminal building covering 6,500 sqm designed to serve approximately 10 lakh passengers annually. The terminal's facade mirrors the architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, adorned with local art, paintings, and murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram. The terminal also incorporates sustainable features such as an insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, fountains, water treatment and sewage treatment plants, a solar power plant, and more, aiming for a GRIHA 5-star rating. This development is anticipated to enhance connectivity, promoting tourism, business activities, and employment opportunities in the region. The surge in tourism has attracted significant interest from hotel chains and investors, prompting the Uttar Pradesh Housing and Development Board to conduct an online hotel land auction. Leading hospitality and travel services companies, including IHCL, Marriott, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, have entered agreements for hotels in Ayodhya due to the ongoing infrastructure development. Five branded hotels with a total of 520 rooms are currently under construction. Industry experts estimate the development cost of Ayodhya hotels to be around Rs 3.5 billion, with most hotels expected to open after 2024. Sarovar Hotels & Resorts plans to unveil its 80-room Park Inn by Radisson in tandem with the city's growth. Major hospitality firms are keenly interested in catering to pilgrimage travel to Ayodhya, the revered birthplace of Lord Shri Ram.