Gujarat

Ahmedabad: After several days of hazy skies, the sun finally broke through in Gujarat on Monday. However, due to the influence of a western disturbance, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of rainfall in districts bordering Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat’s weather expert Ambalal Patel, often referred to as the state’s ‘Baba Venga’, had on January 31 predicted unseasonal rainfall and sudden changes in the state’s weather. IMD Issues AlertThe IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall and snowfall in the northern hilly regions of India until February 3 due to the western disturbance. This northern weather activity is now affecting western regions, including Gujarat. According to the latest bulletin, northern Gujarat is likely to receive rainfall. Ambalal Patel had ...

Kutch, Jan 31:The Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Kutch district has been included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, making it the fifth Ramsar site in the state and the first in Kutch, state Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said on Saturday. With this recognition, Chhari-Dhand joins Nal Sarovar, Thol, Khijadiya and Wadhwana in Gujarat’s growing network of internationally protected wetlands. Announcing the development, Modhwadia said the Ramsar designation would play a crucial role in strengthening environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, while also promoting sustainable local development. “The Ramsar status granted to Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary will bring positive transformation in areas such a...

Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Gujarat continued its winning streak at the 77th Republic Day celebrations, as the state’s tableau secured the top spot in the “Popular Choice” category for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s tableau, themed “Mantra of Freedom: Vande Mataram,” was officially recognized at an award ceremony held at the National Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. The trophy and certificate were presented by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and received on behalf of the Gujarat government by Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr. Vikrant Pandey and State Information Commissioner Kishor Bachani. In addition, Gujarat’s cultural performance during the tableau-making process earned an Encouragement Award for its dance presentation at the national event, where artists fr...

Vadodara, Gujarat: IPS officer Sushil Agrawal, a 2017 batch officer of the Gujarat cadre, is making headlines in the state for his exemplary policing and investigative skills. Currently serving as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Vadodara Rural, Agrawal has earned recognition for handling high-profile cases, including the remarkable recovery of 240 stolen gold coins in Navsari—a case that has become a reference point for crime investigation in the state. A graduate of IIT Delhi with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Agrawal later cleared the UPSC examination to join the Indian Police Service. Known for his round-the-clock diligence, he previously served as SP of Navsari before being transferred to Vadodara. In Vadodara, he has successfully overseen security arrangements for major...

Ahmedabad: The pace of India’s first bullet train project is picking up rapidly as Gujarat achieves another major milestone. The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has successfully installed a 100-meter-long steel bridge in Ahmedabad, weighing 1,098 metric tons. Constructed under the Make in India initiative, this massive structure posed a significant engineering challenge as it had to be positioned 16.5 meters above the ground. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor is progressing swiftly following the official announcement of the train’s operational date. NHSRCL confirmed that this bridge, constructed above an underground metro tunnel connecting Kalupur and Shahpur stations, is the 13th steel bridge completed out of the 17 planned in Gujarat. Bridge Redesigne...

Ahmedabad: In a significant victory against child trafficking, the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of Ahmedabad police, acting on a tip-off from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), rescued a newborn baby and arrested three people involved in an interstate trafficking network spanning Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities revealed that the suspects had “purchased” the infant from Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, and were transporting the child to Hyderabad to sell. The DCB successfully intercepted a white car heading towards Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle has also been taken into custody. Suspects IdentifiedThe arrested individuals include: Vandana Panchal (34) – originally from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in ...

Ahmedabad/Surat: Vehicle owners in India may soon bid farewell to long queues at toll plazas. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to begin trial operations of the country’s first multi-lane, barrier-free toll plaza on February 2 in Kamrej, Surat, marking a major step towards modernizing the nation’s highways. Currently, vehicles must stop at toll booths, often leading to long waiting lines. To address this, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced plans to upgrade toll plazas and introduce a barrier-free toll collection system across India. The new system will replace conventional toll booths and manual toll collection, allowing vehicles to pass through without slowing down. How the Barrier-Free System WorksAccording to NHAI officials, the system uses Automatic N...

Ahmedabad: Indian Railways is once again making headlines with its modern, semi-high-speed Amrit Bharat Express, now undergoing trial runs on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai route. The train can reach a maximum speed of 130 km/h, and the route has been deemed safe for operations. Here’s a look at the Railway’s preparation and plans for this new service. Following the success of the Vande Bharat trains, the Amrit Bharat Express is equipped with advanced facilities and is already operational on several routes across India. Once fully rolled out, the number of Amrit Bharat Express trains is expected to rise from 30 to 39. Currently, the trial runs are being conducted between Ahmedabad and Mumbai—the same corridor earmarked for the upcoming high-speed bullet train. According to sources, the Research D...

Ahmedabad:The construction of India’s first high-speed rail corridor has achieved another major milestone with the successful installation of a massive 100-metre-long steel bridge in Ahmedabad district, officials of the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said on Thursday. Built under the Make in India initiative, the giant structure — often referred to as the project’s “Bahubali” steel bridge — weighs approximately 1,098 metric tonnes and has been installed at a height of over 16 metres, making it one of the most challenging engineering feats of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. According to NHSRCL, this bridge is the 13th steel bridge completed in Gujarat out of a total of 17 steel bridges planned in the state for the high-speed corridor. Redesigned to...

Navsari, Gujarat: In a significant anti-terror operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has foiled a major terrorist conspiracy by arresting 22-year-old Faizan Sheikh, a native of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The accused is alleged to have been involved in anti-national activities and plotting targeted killings. According to ATS Deputy SP Harsh Upadhyay, the action was taken on Tuesday following credible intelligence about Faizan’s involvement in extremist activities. Sheikh, who worked as a tailor in Navsari and resided near Aksa Mosque, was reportedly in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, Mohammad Abu Bakar. He was using social media platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram to propagate extremist ideologies. Investigations revealed that Sheikh was inspired by banned ...