Ahmedabad News Roundup | Water Festival at Adalaj Ni Vaav, Auda's city development plan & more

From the captivating Water Festival at Adalaj Ni Vaav to the announcement of Auda's ambitious Ahmedabad Development Plan 2041 to the thriving tourism scene across the state and more, check out what's happening in your city and state with this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Organized by Crraft Of Art and sponsored by Gujarat Tourism, the 14th edition of the Water Festival is set to captivate audiences at Adalaj Ni Vav in Ahmedabad on November 25. The esteemed actor Pratik Gandhi will host the event, featuring spectacular performances by renowned artists, including tabla maestro Fazal Qureshi, drummer Ranjit Barot, mandolin virtuoso U Rajesh, kanjira maestro V Selva Ganesh, guitarist and composer Sanjay Divecha, bass player Sheldon D’Silva, and singer Prithvi Gandharv.

Adding to the allure, the evening will include a special performance by nagada players from Pushkar, led by Nathulal Solanki. Admission is free, and eager attendees can secure their spot through Book My Show on a first-come, first-served basis.

As Ahmedabad gears up to bid for the 2036 Olympics, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) has initiated a comprehensive 20-year development plan titled "Ahmedabad Development Plan 2041." This strategic plan aims to meet current demands while anticipating the city's requirements up to 2050.

Auda is actively involving stakeholders from various sectors to gather insights for the bid process. The focus is on enhancing spatial development, bolstering physical infrastructure, and addressing vital needs such as water supply, sewage, and stormwater drainage.

The Diwali festival season has proven to be a resounding success for tourism in Gujarat, with over 42 lakh people visiting various tourist destinations between November 11 and 20. Notable attractions included the Statue of Unity, Smriti Van, Girnar Ropeway, Somnath Temple, Ambaji Temple, Pavagadh, Dwarka, Science City, Atal Bridge, Kankaria Lake, and Vadnagar Dinosaur Park in Ahmedabad.

The state has significantly boosted its budget for tourism by 346% in 2023-24, covering tourism, pilgrimage, and civil aviation.

In a welcome development for passport seekers in Gujarat, the DGP (Law and Order) issued an order on November 21 eliminating the need for applicants to visit police stations in person for the verification process. The focus will now solely be on verifying citizenship and checking previous criminal history.

However, if further verification is necessary, the police will visit the residences of the applicants.

As winter begins to cast its mild chill over the state, the Meteorological Department predicts unseasonal rain from November 24 to 27. The department attributes this forecast to moisture from eastern winds and the activation of a cyclone trough in the Bay of Bengal, potentially leading to monsoon-like conditions.

During the period of November 24 to 27, Gujarat can expect normal to moderate unseasonal rains, with a subsequent decrease in temperature after 3 to 4 days.