Ram temple and infrastructure face a number of issues in Ayodhya due to heavy rainfall

Ayodhya's Ram Temple and new infrastructure face challenges after heavy rains, with reports of potholes and alleged water leakage. Officials deny major issues, while opposition alleges corruption. The Yogi Adityanath government suspends civic officials and orders immediate repairs.

Six months after the inauguration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya and the development work in connection with this Temple, the structure and the connected constructions are under strain for the first time due to the first rains. There have been several complaints about the cases of waterlogging on the roads, potholes, and the reports of water leakage forcing the authorities into action and raising questions about the quality of construction.

The newly built 14 Kilometer road called Ram Path to reach the temple has potholes and even has incidents of cave-ins due to the recent rain. In response, the Yogi Adityanath government has suspended six civic officials including one junior engineer for negligence of duty, said official sources. Some local authorities have alledgably fixed the road shortly as to cause minimal disturbance to the devotees.

There were also concerns that there was leakage on water inside the temple itself. The Chief Priest at first testified that, water from the roof was dripping and accumulating within the compound. But the credence of these allegations were fully refuted by Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Temple Trust, who stated that there was no water intrusion into the Sanctum Sanctorum or ‘Garbha Griha’.

Noting that the leakage was apparent due to the construction work in progress on the first floor of the temple, Nripendra Misra, the chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, said that there was no problem in the construction of the temple. He pointed out that what falls in some areas is ‘expected’ as parts of the structure like the Guru Mandap are still open to the weather.

The event has sparked controversy from the opposing faction leaders, with UP Congress President Ajay Rai accusing the construction work of corruption. The incumbent BJP-led government, however, insists that adequate protocols are being followed and problems if any, are being dealt with on an ongoing basis.

The Ram Temple at Ayodhya started functioning after its opening on January 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a deep spiritual significance for millions of Hindus. Given the rituals of Hinduism, this temple and other development projects associated with it are still matters of national concern.

Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Ayodhya, Holds a Rally

Thus, all the focus will be on Ayodhya during the next six months to see how the construction of the temple and its complex endures all the upcoming difficulties of the rainy season.