Ayodhya Gets ₹900 Crore Bharat Path Project.

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans for a significant new infrastructure project in Ayodhya: the construction of a spiritual corridor named 'Bharat Path'. This 20-kilometer road will connect Bharatkund, a sacred site where Lord Ram's brother Bharat is believed to have performed penance, directly to the Ram Temple. The project is estimated to cost ₹900 crore, the government stated on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposed the "Bharat Path" with the aim of further elevating Ayodhya's stature as a global religious and cultural hub. The Public Works Department (PWD) has already submitted the detailed proposal for approval. This new route is expected to offer devotees improved access and a deeper spiritual experience, reinforcing Ayodhya's central role in India's religious landscape.

Following the inauguration of the Ram Temple, Ayodhya has witnessed an unprecedented surge in visitors, with lakhs of devotees arriving daily from across India and abroad. To manage this growing influx and ensure smooth traffic flow, the government is undertaking multiple infrastructure projects, including the construction and widening of key routes such as Ram Path, Bhakti Path, Janmabhoomi Path, and now Bharat Path. Work is also underway to widen the Panchkosi and Chaudashkosi Parikrama routes.

The Bharat Path will stretch approximately 20 km, starting from the Ranopali railway crossing along Ram Path and extending to Bharatkund via Vidyakund and Darshannagar on the Prayagraj highway. Currently a two-lane road, the plan calls for widening it to include 9-meter lanes on both sides and a 2.5-meter central divider. This design is intended to ensure smooth, safe, and well-organized traffic management. The government emphasized that Bharat Path will be developed with the same grandeur and devotion as Ram Path, promising a spiritually enriching experience for devotees.

Bharatkund holds immense significance in the Ramayana, believed to be the place where Bharat performed penance during Lord Ram's exile. Upon Ram's return, Bharat also conducted the Pind Daan ceremony for their father, King Dasharatha, at this sacred site, which is also home to a mythological lake. The construction of Bharat Path is expected to provide devotees with significantly easier access, making their spiritual journey to Ayodhya more convenient.

PWD officials confirmed that work will commence as soon as the proposal receives approval from the headquarters. S.P. Bharti, Executive Engineer of the PWD's provincial section, stated, "The detailed project report for Bharat Path has been submitted to the headquarters. The estimated cost of the project is ₹900 crore. Work will commence as soon as approval is granted. Floodlights will be installed along the route to ensure proper illumination."