Captain Shekhar takes off first flight from Delhi to Ayodhya, welcomes passengers | WATCH

New Delhi: Moments after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, first flight took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport for the temple town.    

IndiGo pilot captain Ashutosh Shekhar welcomed passengers as the first flight took off from Delhi. “I thank the airline for trusting me and handing over command of this flight. Along with me, co-pilot Nikhil Bakshi and crew members are on the flight in your service. This is a proud moment for us and our airline," the captain said in his formal address to passengers. 

People raised slogans of 'Jai Ram, Shri Ram' as they board the first flight for the newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. 

Notably, this is the first time that the temple town have developed direct air-to-air connectivity with the national capital. Daily direct flights will begin from January 16, 2024, said officials. 

In a major infrastructure push for Ayodhya, PM Narendra Modi flagged off two new Amrit Bharat trains and six new Vande Bharat Trains as well.  

Ayodhya Airport features 

Phase 1 of the state-of-the-art airport is developed at a cost of more than Rs 1450 crore. The airport’s terminal building will have an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually.

The facade of the Terminal Building depicts the temple architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya. The interiors of the terminal Building are decorated with local art, paintings & murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram. 

The terminal building of Ayodhya airport is also equipped with various sustainability features like insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rain water harvesting, landscaping with fountains, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, solar power plant and many other such features have been provided to meet GRIHA - 5 star ratings.