Lucknow: Even a high-profile project like the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is facing delays.
Even though the entire temple wasn’t complete, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a spectacular consecration ceremony on January 22 this year.
The temple in Ayodhya, which has had millions of visitors since being opened about 10 months ago, was initially scheduled to be completed by June 2025.
However, construction is now likely be finished by September 2025, according to Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple construction committee.
A shortage of around 200 workers and the need to replace certain stones on the temple’s first floor are the main reasons for the delay, according to Mishra.
“We are currently facing labour shortage, causing delay in construction. The complete construction is now expected by September 2025 instead of June 2025,” Mishra said on Saturday.
Elaborating on the delay, he informed that 8.5 lakh cubic feet of red ‘Bansi Paharpur’ stones have been readied for the temple boundary and delivered to Ayodhya, but construction has slowed due to reduced workforce.
Also, some stones on the first floor appeared “weak and thin” and will be replaced with ‘Makrana’ stones to ensure durability, added Mishra.
A two-day meeting of the temple construction committee recently reviewed the status of other structures like the temple’s auditorium, boundary, and circumambulation path, all of which are under construction.
Statues for the temple, including those for Lord Ram’s court and six surrounding temples, are being made in Jaipur and expected to arrive in Ayodhya by December.
There were also discussions on improving visitor flow, specifically a smoother exit route after visiting Janmabhoomi path.