Ahmedabad's mercury dips to 17.5°C, IMD forecast a further dip on Friday; Lotus Park to be developed by AMC in Ahmedabad, set to become a major attraction; Guj enforces helmet rule in universities, city institutes begin implementation; and more. Stay updated with the latest news of the city in this Ahmedabad News Roundup.

Ahmedabad experienced a chilly start to the season as the minimum temperature dropped to 17.5°C on Thursday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a further dip to 17°C on Friday.

The maximum temperature stood at 30.4°C, 2.2°C below the seasonal average. Northeasterly to easterly winds are prevailing, and the IMD predicts no significant change in the minimum temperature for the next four to five days, keeping the winter chill steady.

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has announced the plan to develop Lotus Park, a 25,000-square-metre project near Dev City in Gota Ward, North-West Zone. Named Kusum: Garland of India, the park’s design is inspired by a lotus, with each petal representing the state flower of an Indian state.

The project, estimated to cost ₹70-80 crore, has received ₹20 crore in the current year’s budget. Once complete, Lotus Park will be a symbolic representation of India’s floral diversity and cultural unity, becoming a major attraction in the city.

In a significant push for road safety, the Gujarat Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed universities across the state to enforce mandatory helmet use for students, staff, and visitors on two-wheelers.

Gujarat University and Gujarat Technological University have already initiated awareness campaigns and issued circulars to implement the rule. The initiative targets safer commuting practices and aims to reduce two-wheeler accident rates among the youth. Institutions have been asked to ensure compliance for both riders and pillion passengers.

Ongoing development work at Darbhanga station under the Samastipur division has prompted changes to the Ahmedabad-Darbhanga Sabarmati Express schedule. Train No. 19165 will terminate at Samastipur station instead of Darbhanga until December 16th.

The move is part of a block allocated for engineering work at the station. Passengers are advised to plan accordingly and verify train schedules to avoid inconvenience during this period.

The Gujarat government’s revision of Jantri rates, which determine property valuations, has raised concerns of a potential 15-25% hike in property prices across Ahmedabad. Experts suggest the revised rates could increase by 200-400% on average throughout the state.

While the government has opened a 30-day window for public suggestions, real estate stakeholders are apprehensive about the impact on affordability and market dynamics. The revision aims to align property rates with market realities but could strain buyers and investors alike.