Ahmedabad News Roundup | Garba events can now continue past 12 AM, Kalupur station progress & more

From the state's order allowing Garba events to continue past 12 AM to the progress of the Kalupur station for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train to a record surge in passport applications, and more—discover the latest updates in this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Bringing good news for the residents of Ahmedabad, the state has issued an order allowing Garba events and residential society-level sheri-garba celebrations to continue past 12 AM. However, loudspeakers must be turned off after midnight.

This extension of hours promises to boost the local food business and provide attendees with more time to enjoy the festivities, explore the city's culinary offerings, and then return home.

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has announced the completion of the concourse-level slab for the Kalupur station, a crucial part of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train extension project.

This elevated metro station features two platforms and stands at a height of 33.73 meters above ground, spanning 38,000 square meters above platform numbers 10, 11, and 12 of the Western Railway station. The station's design pays homage to the intricate lattice work of Sidi Sayed mosque's jaali window and will serve as a unique canvas for kite enthusiasts.

In light of the ongoing Navratri festival, the Ahmedabad Metro has extended its operating hours, enabling Garba enthusiasts to travel through the city until 2 AM. This special arrangement will remain in effect until October 23, with trains running every 12 minutes. The last train in this extended schedule will depart from Thaltej, Vastral, APMC, and Motera stations at 2 AM.

As is the tradition every year, the Gujarat Tourism Department has once again organized the Navratri Festival at GMDC Ground, offering a plethora of attractions for visitors to enjoy. From 5 PM to 12 AM daily, attendees can explore theme pavilions, craft bazaars, food stalls, and other exciting venues.

The event also presents a diverse range of exhibits, featuring overviews of the four Vedas, Ram Mandir, Modhera Surya Mandir, Chandrayaan, Tejas Train, the nine forms of Mother Adyashakti, and the Statue of Unity.

The post-pandemic era has witnessed a remarkable increase in foreign travel and a growing number of Gujarati youth aspiring to study and work abroad. This surge has led to an unprecedented influx of passport applications at the Regional Passport Office in Ahmedabad.

By September 2023, the office had received a staggering 7 lakh submissions, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. At one point, appointment wait times for new or reissued passports reached 45 days, but they have since improved to one month.