On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a dedication ceremony for the idol of the Hindu deity Ram in a temple, attracting tens of thousands of people to the quiet town, known for its involvement in political dispute.

India's predominantly Hindu community holds the belief that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram, who is viewed as an embodiment of the deity Vishnu. Back in 1992, Hindu groups demolished Babri Masjid, a mosque in the city, claiming that a temple had previously stood at that location.

The drive to construct a Ram temple has been a key part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, a Hindu nationalist party ruling for over thirty years.

"Ayodhya is anticipated to experience a significant increase in both long-term residents and short-term visitors," stated Dikshu Kukreja, the architect in charge of the city's modernization plan, designed to manage the expected rise, as reported to a media outlet.

He further added, "In response, we concentrated on developing strong transportation links, which include an international airport, top-notch railway stations, and modern bus terminals."

The SCMP reports, that the US-based investment firm Jefferies states a $10 billion (83,000 Crores ) revamp of the city is expected to attract more than 50 million tourists annually. This influx is predicted to greatly enhance hotel business and other economic sectors, setting a precedent for infrastructure-led tourism growth.

Tourism contributes to 6.8% of India's GDP, which is less than in many advanced economies. India has been working on upgrading the poor infrastructure that affects many of its key religious sites. The opening of the Ayodhya temple is seen as a step towards revitalizing these places.

India is home to 42 Unesco World Heritage sites, many linked to religious sites. The majority of tourists in the country come for religious tourism.

On Monday, celebrations erupted nationwide, primarily among Hindus, following Modi's request to observe the day similarly to Diwali, the festival celebrating Ram's mythological return to Ayodhya. The Confederation of All India Traders reported transactions exceeding 1 trillion rupees or 1 Lakh Crore (about US$12 billion), including sales of temple replicas, fireworks, and food.

Industry leaders suggest that the heightened religious enthusiasm is expected to lead to sustained business prospects, especially with the infrastructure improvement of pilgrimage sites.

Kukreja explained that Ayodhya, a town with a history of 2,500 years, is undergoing excavation and modernization. The process includes widening the narrow streets, constructing multi-level parking facilities, and establishing stations for electric vehicles to promote sustainable transportation.

He emphasized that their focus was on enhancing pedestrian access through broad walkways and dedicated bike lanes, while also decreasing dependency on private cars. These efforts are a key component of the continuing development vision for Ayodhya, he noted.

The reconstruction started following a detailed examination of other national pilgrimage sites like Tirupati, Amritsar, Ujjain, and Varanasi, and international locations such as the Vatican City, Jerusalem, and Cambodia.

Kukreja noted that their research showed temple towns in India typically grow naturally, leading to local authorities facing challenges in meeting basic infrastructure demands. Meanwhile, international religious cities tend to have more systematically planned infrastructure.

This insight has resulted in a proposal to create a 1,200-acre smart township in Ayodhya. The goal is to eliminate unsightly and hazardous elements like dangling overhead wires and open drains, replacing them with clean, safe accommodations for tourists.

Kukreja explained that their vision plan includes initiatives such as increasing homestay options to enhance tourists' experiences and generate economic benefits for locals. He added that various lodging options, including some that are rent-free, are being considered.

At present, the town features just one high-end lodging facility, offering 80 rooms, operated by the Sarovar hotel group as a franchisee of Radisson Hotels.

Ajay Bakaya, the chairman and managing director of the Sarovar group of Hotels, expects their hotel in Ayodhya to maintain about 90% occupancy over the next year. He mentioned to a media outlet that there are currently 15 to 20 hotels being developed by various groups. He anticipates that in the next five to six years, Ayodhya will have an additional 2,500 to 3,500 hotel rooms.

Sarovar Hotels, with a portfolio of over 100 properties, is a prominent player in the religious tourism sector. It has hotels in locations like Amritsar in Punjab, home to the sacred Golden Temple of Sikhism, and near the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir.

During the BJP's ten-year rule, other old pilgrimage locations like Varanasi and Mathura, in addition to Ayodhya, have been undergoing renovations. This work is anticipated to accelerate if the BJP is re-elected later this year.

A keen traveller expressed being "pleasantly surprised" during his visit to Varanasi last December, after almost ten years since his last visit.

The enthusiastic traveller noted his surprise at seeing six planes on the tarmac or runway apron when they landed, a stark contrast to typically seeing just one on previous visits to Varnasi. He also mentioned that the drive from the airport to his city hotel took only 30 minutes, significantly less than the one-and-a-half hours it used to take.

The traveller noted that the city's roads have been expanded, improving access from the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the banks of the Ganges river where prayers are held. He added, "I am now looking forward to visiting Ayodhya with my family once it's less crowded." (IPA Service)