‘Ram Mandir Construction to Begin on 3/5 Aug, PM to Decide’: Trust

A model of the Ram Temple that Hindu organisations want built on the site on which the Babri Masjid was destroyed. Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: Reuters)

The Ram Mandir Trust, set up to supervise and facilitate the construction of the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya, held a meeting in the city on Saturday, 18 July, to discuss the way ahead, news agency ANI reported.

The trust has reportedly decided between two dates for the construction of the temple to begin – 3 August or 5 August – and has asked PM Modi to make the final decision.

“We have sent to prime minister two dates to choose from – either 3 August or 5 August – as the date to lay down the foundation of the Ram Temple. The construction will begin on the date he deems fit,” Kameshwar Chaupal, a member of the trust told ANI.

Champat Rai, general secretary, Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust, told ANI that they think the construction of the temple will be completed within three or three-and-a-half years.

Rai told ANI that that Larsen & Toubro is collecting samples for soil testing, while bricks for the construction would be provided by Sompura Marbles.

“Drawing of temple's foundation will be made on basis of the strength of soil 60 metres below. Work to lay down the foundation will begin on basis of the drawing,” he said.

According to Rai, 10 crore families across four lakh localities of the country will be contacted, after monsoon and when the situation becomes normal, for financial support to build the temple.

First Formal Meeting of Trust

According to NDTV, this was the first formal meeting of the trust in Ayodhya. Among the issues expected to be discussed in the meeting were a tentative date for beginning of the construction of the temple, as well as the date for a 'bhoomi puja', for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly be invited.

Earlier in March this year, the ‘Ram Lalla’ idol was shifted to a temporary structure near Manas Bhawan.

In November 2019, the Supreme Court, in its landmark verdict, had directed the Centre to hand over the site at Ayodhya for the construction of the Ram temple and set up a trust for the same.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have disrupted the process and put a question mark on the time frame.

(With inputs from ANI, IANS and NDTV)