For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities like Rakaabganj, Devkali and Avadh Vihar residential schemes are now the most expensive in the district,” he added.The revision has been made across residential, commercial, and agricultural categories, with rates varying depending on location-specific demand and usage.The rates, that came into effect on Monday, are drawing mixed reactions from the real estate sector. Saurabh Vikram Singh, director of a builders’ firm in Ayodhya, said, “An increase in the circle rate also means an increase in stamp duty. However, this benefits landowners by enhancing the official value of land, thereby aiding in better loan appraisals and property valuations.”Vivek Agrawal, a local developer, believes the revision could lead to more transparent property deals. “The problem of 'number one and number two' — referring to white and black money in real estate deals — can be addressed with realistic circle rates. This promotes transparency,” he said.Circle rate is the minimum value at which a property is registered and plays a key role in determining stamp duty, as well as compensation in land acquisition cases.