Ahmedabad News| Kalupur Station platforms to be closed in phases, yoga centre at Riverfront & more

Kalupur station platforms to be closed in phases from November, Sabarmati riverfront to get a new yoga and meditation centre, free WiFi coupon dispensers installed at SVPI airport, and more. Get all the latest updates in this Ahmedabad news roundup.

Starting in November, platforms 1 to 9 at Ahmedabad's Kalupur Railway Station will be closed in four phases as part of a major redevelopment project. During this period, trains that usually operate from these platforms will be diverted to nearby stations, including Sabarmati, Asarwa, Vatwa, and Gandhinagar.

The phased closure aims to minimize disruptions while facilitating the construction work. Some trains, particularly those arriving from Saurashtra, Bhuj, and Rajasthan, will have reduced stoppage times, and Maninagar station may be used as an alternative stop.

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL) has unveiled plans to construct a yoga and meditation centre on the western side of the riverfront. The centre will be situated within Biodiversity Park and will cover an area of 3,500 to 4,000 square meters.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad has introduced four free WiFi coupon dispensers to enhance convenience for international passengers.

These machines, located across Terminals 1 and 2, allow foreign travellers to obtain a WiFi coupon by simply scanning their passport and boarding pass. The WiFi access provided is valid for 120 minutes, catering specifically to passengers who do not have an Indian SIM card.

To tackle the issue of road congestion caused by vegetable vendors, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is planning to establish new vegetable markets in various areas of the city. New markets will be constructed in Thaltej and Chandlodia, with expansion planned for the existing market in Vatwa.

The AMC's Road and Building Committee will review these proposals in their upcoming meeting on Monday. Additionally, a new market will be built near Vatwa village lake in the South Zone.

A recent study conducted by scientists at ISRO's Space Applications Centre has uncovered significant temperature differences across various parts of Ahmedabad, a phenomenon known as Intra-Urban Heat Islands (IUHI).

The findings highlighted notable temperature variations, especially in densely urbanized areas such as traffic junctions, market zones, and regions adjacent to water bodies. The study revealed a temperature difference of up to 2.5°C within a 10-kilometer radius in Ahmedabad's central region.

Lulu Group has announced plans to build what will be India’s largest shopping mall in Ahmedabad, with an investment of ₹4,000 crore. The construction of the mall is slated to begin this year (2024), and the project is expected to generate around 3,000 jobs in the region.