Ahmedabad News Roundup|Busy season at the Airport, Shobha Group's Riverfront development plan & more

From a busy a season at SVPI Airport fueled by charter aircraft movement, Shobha Group's initiative to lead the phase-3 development of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Riverfront, the kickoff of the 10th season of the Pro-Kabaddi League at EKA Arena TransStadia and more. Check out the latest updates of the city in this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport has witnessed a bustling season in the past couple of months, primarily due to a significant increase in charter aircraft movements alongside regular scheduled operations. As the primary international and domestic airport in the state, SVPI handled approximately 1,500 charter aircrafts over the last two months.

This rise can be attributed to the hosting of five World Cup matches, which prompted the arrival of numerous VVIP individuals and celebrities to the city. Additionally, the buildup to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 has further contributed to the increased air traffic. Consequently, with these global events coinciding with the festive season, the daily passenger count for city air travelers soared to a record-breaking 42,000.

The Shobha Group of Dubai will undertake the construction of Riverfront Phase-3, spanning between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, at a cost of 1000 crores. In a philanthropic gesture, Shobha Group will contribute the entire sum to charity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing this arrangement has been signed by the state government and the Shobha Group.

Phase-3 of the riverfront will extend between Indira Bridge and Narmada Canal on both the east and west sides, covering a distance of four kilometers. Construction is slated to commence in December, with the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place at the Vibrant Summit. The Shobha Group will be actively participating in the summit.

The 10th season of the Pro-Kabaddi League is set to commence from December 2 to 7 at the EKA Arena TransStadia in Kankaria. The opening ceremony will witness the presence of captains from all 12 teams.

Following this, from December 25th to 31st, Kankaria Carnival will take place, featuring a diverse program including fireworks, horse shows, and comedy courts. Additionally, attendees can look forward to entertaining events such as comedy shows, dramas, and jewelry exhibitions.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the inaugural phase of India's highly-anticipated bullet train project is slated for completion between Bilimora and Surat in Gujarat by August 2026.

As part of a broader announcement on comprehensive upgrades to the nation's rail infrastructure and services, the minister specified that the initial 50 km segment of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route will connect Bilimora and Surat in Gujarat.