Ahmedabad News Roundup | Hospitals on alert for COVID surge, upcoming Kankaria Carnival & more

From a high alert in the city hospitals due to new COVID cases to the upcoming Kankaria Carnival from December 25, to CEPT University being acknowledged as the Center of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design and more. Read about the latest updates of the city in this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Following two reported cases of Covid in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad's neighboring city, all hospitals in Ahmedabad have also been placed on high alert. The central government, responding to the new variant of Corona and rising cases across South and North India, has issued advisories to all states.

The government is now in an alert mode and decisions regarding precautionary measures may be made after a meeting between the Union Health Minister and State Health Ministers tomorrow.

The much-anticipated Kankaria Carnival, Ahmedabad's largest year-end celebration, is scheduled to take place at Kankaria Lakefront from December 25th to December 31st. Drawing in more than one lakh visitors daily, the carnival will be subject to drone surveillance covering an approximate one-kilometer area.

Festivities include grand fireworks and laser shows at night, transforming the entire Kankaria premises with vibrant and thematic lighting organized by the Municipal Corporation.

Ahmedabad's CEPT University has recently earned the esteemed title of a Center of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design, courtesy of the Government of India.

In addition to this prestigious recognition, the university has been granted a substantial endorsement of Rs 250 crore to facilitate the development and training of India-specific knowledge in the field of urban planning and design over the next 25 years.

Following the revision of Annual Settlement Rates (ASR) or jantri rates, the redevelopment plans for old residential societies were temporarily halted. However, with the abatement of inflation, developers have rekindled their focus on pending projects.

Reports indicate the closure of approximately 25 redevelopment deals in the past four months. Furthermore, discussions are underway for the complete buyout of societies in the city, all contemplating redevelopment. At least 500 societies in the city are in talks for redevelopment. 

Amdavadis are experiencing a surge in cold weather due to cold winds over the past two days. On Tuesday, a shift in wind direction brought back the cold wave, leading to a decrease in the maximum temperature due to gusty winds since early morning.

The Meteorological Department predicts that the prevailing cold conditions will persist for the next four days. Wind speeds on Tuesday ranged from 10 to 15 kmph, with the maximum temperature recorded at 26.2 degrees—3.4 degrees above normal but 2.3 degrees lower than Monday.