Months after its grand inauguration, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has faced scrutiny and controversy following heavy rainfall that exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities in the temple town.
The newly constructed Ram Path road leading to the Ram Temple, a 14-km stretch, developed significant potholes soon after the onset of seasonal rains. Authorities swiftly repaired the road to ensure minimal disruption to devotees, but the incident led to the suspension of six civic officials by the Yogi Adityanath government, citing “gross negligence.”
Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi acknowledged efforts to drain rainwater from the temple town after reports of waterlogging emerged. Additionally, reports of leakage within the temple premises stirred further debate. The Chief Priest of the Ram Temple raised concerns about rainwater collecting inside the complex due to leakage from the roof, emphasizing inadequate drainage arrangements.
However, Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Temple Trust, refuted these claims, asserting that no water entered the Sanctum Sanctorum or ‘Garbha Griha,’ and attributed the perceived leakage to a conduit pipe associated with ongoing construction work on the temple’s first floor.
Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, explained that while some leakage was expected due to the exposed nature of the Guru Mandap during construction, measures were in place to prevent water from entering critical areas like the ‘Garbha Griha.’
Political reactions swiftly followed, with opposition leaders alleging corruption in the temple’s construction. UP Congress President Ajay Rai criticized the BJP, claiming mismanagement and financial impropriety even in places of worship.
The Ram Temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 amidst much fanfare, holds profound religious significance as the birthplace of Lord Ram in Hinduism.
Sources By Agencies