Ram temple ceremony: How Ayodhya airport is ready to welcome VIPs from all over India. india business news
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has made arrangements for special lounges for VIP guests, while the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has deployed around 150 personnel, reported ET. CISF has also increased its presence at nearby airports to accommodate the guests due to shortage of space at Ayodhya airport. These airports include Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, Khajuraho, Jabalpur and Bhopal.
“We have conducted several dry runs and also increased strength at nearby airports,” a senior CISF official said.
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More than 100 charter flights are scheduled to take guests to Ayodhya on Monday, so there will not be enough parking space available. Ayodhya airport director Vinod Kumar said the demand was so high that they had to deny landing permits for charter flights of many corporate owners and celebrities. These flights will now have to land at nearby airports like Lucknow and Varanasi, and guests will have to travel by road for about 2-4 hours.
![Flight plan to Ayodhya airport Flight plan to Ayodhya airport](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-107043859,width-600,resizemode-4/107043859.jpg)
Flight plan to Ayodhya airport
The airport has eight bays to accommodate aircraft and helicopters for the Prime Minister’s entourage, including the special flight Air India One and helicopters. Scheduled flights are also operating, so other charter aircraft are not allowed to park.
As per security protocols, the airport will be closed for operations 30 minutes before and after the arrival of Prime Minister Modi. The airport has established immigration and customs clearance enclosures for international arrivals. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited representatives from 50 foreign countries to attend the celebrations.
Several notable personalities arrived in Lucknow to attend the event, including actors Amitabh Bachchan and Pawan Kalyan, ArcelorMittal Chairman Lakshmi Mittal and Shankaracharya of Kanchi Math. Lucknow airport has arranged eight charter planes for the function. A special lounge has been created for the guests to rest before leaving for Ayodhya.
Senior CISF officers are present in Ayodhya to monitor security. The Home Ministry has approved an armed contingent of 150 personnel, which will be increased in phases in the 821-acre area of the Ayodhya airport.