The Railway Board has ordered the removal of all British-era symbols, practices, and remnants across the country. In Ayodhya, work has already started to erase these colonial marks to restore the city’s traditional identity. This initiative is part of a larger plan to move towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by removing signs of slavery from the rail network.
What are the key changes happening in Ayodhya stations?
Ayodhya is seeing a massive transformation in its railway infrastructure. Faizabad Junction was renamed Ayodhya Cantt, and Ayodhya Junction became Ayodhya Dham Junction. The Ayodhya Dham station now features temple-style ‘Shikhar’ architecture and symbols like the bow and arrow. Additionally, the Ayodhya Cantt station is being redeveloped with a budget of 600 crore rupees to resemble the Ram Mandir, including three new platforms and a larger main building.
What are the nationwide directives from the Railway Board?
The Railway Board has set a deadline of May 14, 2026, to remove all colonial symbols and practices. These changes are not just limited to signs but include administrative shifts as well. For example, Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the end of the mandatory black coat dress code for officials, replacing it with khadi and cotton attire. Other changes include updating designations and terminology, such as changing ‘Guard’ to ‘Train Manager’ and ‘Khalasi’ to ‘Assistant’.
Recent developments and infrastructure projects
Several key projects are underway to improve passenger experience and operations in the region:
| Project/Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Ayodhya Cantt Redevelopment | Estimated cost of 600 crore, building length to be 500-600 meters |
| Coaching Complex | Universal Coaching Complex being built at Ayodhya Cantt for ₹105.68 crore |
| Station Renewal | Darshan Nagar and Bharat Kund stations being renovated under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme |
| Operational Shift | Old coal depot closed and moved to Bilhar Ghat for station beautification |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
अयोध्या कैंट स्टेशन का कायाकल्प कैसे किया जा रहा है?
अयोध्या कैंट स्टेशन को 600 करोड़ रुपये की लागत से राम मंदिर की तर्ज पर विकसित किया जा रहा है। इसमें तीन नए प्लेटफॉर्म जोड़े जाएंगे और मुख्य भवन की लंबाई बढ़ाकर 500-600 मीटर की जाएगी।
रेलवे बोर्ड ने ब्रिटिश प्रतीकों को हटाने की क्या समयसीमा तय की है?
रेलवे बोर्ड ने देशभर के सभी ज़ोन को 14 मई, 2026 तक ब्रिटिश काल के प्रतीकों, प्रथाओं और अवशेषों को पूरी तरह समाप्त करने का निर्देश दिया है।