Ahmedabad News Roundup | Civil Hospital renovation, One-sided closure on Shastri Bridge & more

From extensive redevelopment of Civil Hospital to temporary closure of one side of Shastri Bridge for repairs to relocation of Mount Carmel School students due to structural concerns and more, check out what's happening in the city with this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Civil Hospital is poised for a significant transformation with a whopping investment of Rs 568 crore. The Health Department has crafted a master plan, outlining the reconstruction of two primary buildings. Upon completion, these structures will boast 1400 beds equipped with cutting-edge technology.

In the coming weeks, the demolition of the main four blocks of the old building and the ODP building will commence. In their place, an eight-storey state-of-the-art structure will rise, featuring a 900-bed facility and an outpatient department (OPD). The ambitious project is scheduled to be finalized within the next 30 months.

A crucial section of Shastri Bridge, spanning from Vishala Circle to Narol, will undergo repairs necessitating a temporary closure of one side for vehicular traffic lasting four months. Commuters traveling from Vishala to Narol and vice versa will be redirected to the alternate side.

During this period, heavy vehicles will be rerouted to Vishala roads leading to Pirana cross road. For those heading to Narol Circle, the recommended route for heavy vehicles includes Vishala three roads, APMC crossroad, Anjali four roads, Ambedkar Bridge to Khodiyarnagar crossroad, and Pipalaj-Pirana road.

Mount Carmel School, a renowned century-old institution in the city, is set to relocate its students due to structural concerns. The iconic structure in Navrangpura, built in 1923, has been deemed unfit by structural engineers, leading to the decision to shift students.

Starting from the next academic session, students from classes 5 to 8 will be relocated to Mount Carmel School, Carmel Cote, Khanpur, while classes 9 to 12 will find a new home at St. Xavier’s School, Mirzapur. The move is aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of the students in the face of the deteriorating condition of the current building.

Starting from December 7 to February 1, Western Railway will operate two weekly trains offering special fares between Mahuwa and Surat. Additionally, a new weekly express train will commence its journey from Veraval to Surat beginning December 12, running until January 30. Advance booking for these services has already commenced.

The Veraval-Surat weekly special train will depart from Veraval every Tuesday at 11.05 am, reaching Surat at 11.45 pm. The Surat-Veraval weekly special train will depart from Surat every Monday at 7.30 pm, arriving in Veraval at 8.05 am the following day. The train will make stops at Malia Hatina, Keshod, Junagadh, Jetalsar, Gondal, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Vadodara.

Gujarati women, Sangitaben Rathod and Jasumatiben Parmar, made their mark at the UN COP28 global climate talks by presenting indigenous solutions to combat environmental challenges. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, Rathod from Arvali and Parmar from Jetapur showcased practical climate resilience solutions on the international stage.

Their innovative suggestion involves using neem leaves and cow urine to create organic fertilizers and insecticides. This eco-friendly practice not only promotes sustainability but is also widely trusted, being employed by numerous female farmers across the nation.