City to see lowest temperature of the season at 11°C today; Smart India Hackathon 2024 to host Grand Finale in Ahmedabad; IndiGo introduces new direct flights From A'bad to Thiruvananthapuram and Prayagraj; and more. Stay updated with the latest news of the city in this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Ahmedabad's winter chill is expected to intensify as the minimum temperature is set to drop to 11°C on Monday, marking the season's lowest so far. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also forecast a decline in the maximum temperature, which is likely to settle at 29°C.

On Sunday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 13.2°C, down from 13.8°C on Saturday and 1.2°C below the seasonal average. The maximum temperature was recorded at 30°C, 0.8°C below normal, signalling a notably cooler start to the week.

Ahmedabad will host the Smart India Hackathon 2024 Grand Finale (Software Edition) on the 11th and 12th of December at the Sivanand Ashram. The event will see participation from 48 teams comprising 339 students (230 boys and 109 girls) representing 15 states.

Jointly organised by Gujarat Technological University (GTU) and ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, the event is supported by AICTE and the Ministry of Education. Notably, 19 teams from GTU-affiliated colleges will participate, with five representing GTU. Contestants will tackle 10 critical problem statements during the two-day finale.

Starting the 11th of December, IndiGo Airlines will launch a direct flight service between Ahmedabad (AMD) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), operating four times a week to enhance connectivity, running on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Additionally, a new direct flight between Ahmedabad and Prayagraj will commence on the 8th of January 2025, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This initiative aligns with preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025, improving access to Prayagraj from major cities.

The Ahmedabad Shopping Festival has witnessed unprecedented success in its 2024 edition, with sales crossing ₹69,904 crore, according to the Gujarat government. Relaunched after a five-year hiatus by Chief Minister on the 12th of October, the festival spans 95 days across three phases: October 12-November 1, November 11-December 13, and December 15-January 15, 2025.

Drawing over 20 lakh visitors in its initial phase, the festival has been organised in collaboration with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the Gujarat government. Officials liken it to international shopping festivals in scale and appeal.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister has approved the establishment of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across India, with three in Gujarat.

The new KVs will be located in Chakkargarh (Amreli district), Ognaj (Ahmedabad district), and Veraval (Gir-Somnath district). The government also announced the expansion of KV Shivamogga, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure nationwide.