Man kills 80-year-old mother over money dispute
Content creator who triggered rioting in Godhra missing
Railway cops bust inter-state gang stealing valuables from passengers
IRB Infra reports 11% rise in toll revenue to Rs 557 crore in September
IRB Infrastructure reported an 11 percent increase in toll revenue for September 2025, reaching Rs 557 crore. This marks a rise from Rs 502 crore collected in September 2024. Key contributors included IRB MP Expressway, IRB Golconda Expressway, and IRB Ahmedabad Vadodara Super Express Tollway. Despite monsoon impacts, the company anticipates sustained growth driven by the upcoming festive season.
Cabinet nod for Rs 24,634 crore multi-tracking Railway projects across four states
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved four major railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs 24,634 crore, spanning nearly 900 km across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.The projects are expected to be completed by 2030-31 and are designed to ease congestion, boost freight capacity, and enhance connectivity across 18 districts in these states. The decision is seen as major infrastructure push under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aimed at integrating rail development with multi-modal connectivity and improving logistical efficiency. The government expects the additional rail capacity to bring wide-ranging economic and environmental benefits. Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the new projects would significantly enhance Indian Railways' operational efficiency and reliability. The increased line capacity will significantly improve mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways, he said. The four projects include construction of third and fourth rail lines between Wardha and Bhusawal (314 route km) in Maharashtra, fourth line between Gondia and Dongargarh (84 km), cutting across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, two lines between Vadodara and Ratlam (259 km), spanning Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and one between Itarsi, Bhopal, and Bina (237 km) in Madhya Pradesh. Together, the projects will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 894 route kilometres and are expected to ease movement along high-density corridors. The rail corridors covered are crucial for both passenger and freight movement and will reduce delays caused by capacity constraints. The Railway Minister said that the four projects will improve connectivity to 3,633 villages with a total population of about 85.84 lakh, including two Aspirational DistrictsVidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. These infrastructure upgrades are aligned with the Prime Ministers vision of a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and are expected to create significant employment and self-employment opportunities in the region, Vaishnaw added. The projects will also facilitate access to key tourism and heritage sites such as Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Hazara Falls, and Navegaon National Parkall important destinations that currently face logistical bottlenecks. The newly sanctioned lines are projected to handle additional freight traffic of 78 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), including key commodities like coal, cement, fly ash, steel, food grains, and containers. Vaishnaw also stressed the green benefits of railway expansion over road transport. Indian Railways, being an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly transport system, will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, he said. The projects are expected to cut Indias oil imports by 28 crore litres and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 139 crore kilogramsequivalent to planting around six crore trees. The capacity augmentation has been formulated under the PM Gati Shakti framework, which promotes integrated planning across ministries. The aim is to provide seamless movement of goods and people through coordinated infrastructure development. The approval is also seen as one of the most significant recent investments in Indian Railways network expansion strategy which is expected to play a critical role in achieving the countrys broader economic and sustainability goals.
Cabinet gives nod to 4 major railway projects worth Rs 24,634 cr
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved four major railway projects worth 24,634 crore to boost capacity and connectivity across central India. The projects include third and fourth lines along the WardhaBhusawal (314 km), GondiaDongargarh (84 km), VadodaraRatlam (259 km), and ItarsiBhopalBina (237 km) routes, spanning 18 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.
Civic polls near, demand for benches soars
Gang of highway robbers busted, 4 held
Two children who fell in Dhadhar river yet to be traced
Two boys drown in pond near Godhra
City teen spins his way to third Guinness World Record
Man murdered after minor altercation
Karelibaug temple burglars arrested
Burglar arrested in Alkapuri, gold worth 60L recovered
In 10 festive days, Vadodara generated 3,000 tonnes of extra trash
Woman ends life under train with two sons
Garba competition for children held
Employees swindle 2.25cr from businessman
Lawyer arrested for raping employee multiple times
Crocodile density highest near sewage discharge points
After students electrocution, MSU forms campus safety panel
Man held for video hurting religious sentiments
Taxpayers Hub to be organized in the city
City youth represents India at the WYFA in Russia
Ram Leela, Ravan Dahan postponed due to rain
Encroachments linked to rioting suspects razed in Godhra
Drunk SUV driver injures woman, tries to attack cop
GFL plant shut down, protesting villagers booked
Chorus to centrestage: Young voices powering garbas
Two booked for forging car insurance policy
Water starts leaking from Panam dam
Barodian 1st from state to brew global coffee cred with elite Q Grader title
Fresh gas leak at GFL plant sparks villagers protest
Road caves in again near VUDA Circle
Woman falls for fake gold necklace, loses Rs 1.5 lakh
Sword used to rob house in Gajrawadi
Gujarat monsoon forecast: Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch experience active monsoon conditions. Extremely heavy rain occurred in isolated areas. A low-pressure area influences weather patterns. It may intensify into a depression. The India Meteorological Department forecasts light to moderate rain for the next seven days across the region. Heavy showers are expected in South Gujarat and Saurashtra.
Godhra rioting: Accused made videos to gain followers on social media
Fine arts student electrocuted on campus
40 students, teachers take ill in Kalol school
Unique queer garba draws over 200 from across India
Vadodara photographer bats for womens cricket, one picture at a time
Retired engineer loses 43L to cybercrooks
Man held for fake degree racket after 17 years
Two more held in Gujarat's Rs 194 crore turmeric farm scam, total arrests rise to 12
AHMEDABAD: Gujarats Rajkot witnessed one of the biggest-ever financial scams where traders were lured in with hopes of a high-return turmeric farming, only to be duped of Rs 64.80 crore. The traders were duped by Maharashtra-based A.S. Agri & Aqua LLP, which later defaulted on a total payment of Rs 194 crore as per the agreement. Two key engineers-turned-marketing-executives, who played a pivotal role in the racket, were arrested by the Crime Branch in Maharashtra, taking the total arrests to 12. The duo has been remanded till September 30. However, seven accused, including the mastermind and the companys 55 per cent owner, Prashant Jade, still remain absconding. The arrested have been identified as Kamlesh Mahadevrao Ozhe and Avinash Baban Sangle, from Maharashtras Kalwar and Narpoli areas. Both are engineers-turned-marketing executives and 2.5 per cent partners in the company. Investigations revealed that Rs 62 lakh was funneled into Kamleshs account and Rs 92 lakh into Avinashs account directly from the companys funds. Initially investors themselves, the duo later joined the company as partners in 2021, aggressively marketing the scheme to other investors. They collected sensitive data, built investor networks, and convinced traders with slick presentations and YouTube videos showcasing successful turmeric farms. The complaint, filed by Rajkot businessman Prashantbhai Pradeepbhai Kanabar, details how the scam took place. In 2021, Kanabar invested Rs 64.80 crore after being promised Rs 1.20 crore returns per acre every year for six years. He leased 108 acres of land across Gujarat for the project. The agreement stated that the company would build polyhouses, manage cultivation, and handle sales. However, after receiving the funds, the company did none of what was promised. When payment became due in January 2023, the company only gave written assurances, promising to return Rs 58.32 crore after administrative deductions. Suspicious of delays, Kanabar personally met company chairman Ivan Albert D'Cruz in Mumbai, who again verbally assured repayment, however, no money was returned. The scam deepened further as investigators uncovered frauds in Vadodara, Amreli, Thane, and Pune, suggesting a multi-state network. Rs 194 crore, due between 2023 and 2025, remains unpaid. The Crime Branch, led by PI Manoj Damor, has formed multiple teams to trace the remaining absconding accused. It is reported that Prashant Jade had hired over 100 marketing agents and made use of a massive promotional campaign to lure unsuspecting investors. Police are now tracking the flow of money through the accounts of several Maharashtra-based individuals to expose the full scale of the operation.
Club parking lot accident: Insurer told to pay in full to luxury car owner
Charotar gets advanced cardiac CT scanner, thanks to US doctors
Rain dampens garba spirit in Vadodara
GCMMF MD nominated on IBEF board
NRIs body donated for medical education cremated in Anand
Vishwamitri rescue: 40% of crocodile, turtle eggs damaged or infertile
Six held for street birthday celebration in Akota
Canal robbery: Targeted youth lodges complaint after persuasion
Young man, woman robbed at isolated spot after garba
MSU professor bags national award
Liquor worth Rs 1.2cr seized near Ajod
Subhanpura man loses Rs1.47cr in cyberfraud
Travel agent duped of 1.95cr in ticket fraud
Harni boat capsize case accused fined 10k for breach of bail terms
Generations-old Bhavais documented for the first time
CCTV footage nails infuencers thrashing claim: Cops
Shaheen falcons build nest on urban structure in Vadodara
VMC to take over city bus service as Smart City funds exhaust
School van overturns on Waghodia Road
18 dignitaries from 8 countries in city for VIGF
Awards to honour organizers of Sheri Garba, Durga Puja celebrations
NISVs Model United Nations conference begins today
Revellers protest over muddy venue
Kirmani condemns Paks conduct, urges sportsmanship in Asia Cup
Godhra influencers claims refuted by CCTV footage: Police
Prince launches organization to support marginalised groups
How the LGBTQ+ community takes a place of pride at the Luxmi Vilas Palace Heritage Garba in Vadodara
Radhikaraje Gaekwad of the erstwhile royal family of Vadodara, who is an advocate for womens rights and the LGBTQ+ community, has turned Gujarats sacred dance into a celebration of inclusivity.
India's first bullet train to begin operations by December 2027, says Railway Minister Vaishnaw
NEW DELHI: India's first bullet train is expected to begin operations on the first stretch of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor by December 2027, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday in Mumbai. The initial 50-km section will run between Surat and Billimora, with the line expected to reach Thane by 2028 and Mumbais Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) by 2029. Vaishnaw was speaking to the media following the breakthrough of a 5-km tunnel in Thane, near Mumbai. The minister said the bullet trains will initially operate every 30 minutes during peak hours. Once the operational framework is stabilised, this frequency will be increased to every 20 minutes. After completion of the entire infrastructure, the bullet trains will run every 10 minutes, covering the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours and seven minutes, the minister announced, adding that the fare structure of the bullet trains will be affordable to middle class families. He added that the bullet train loco pilots are currently undergoing comprehensive hands-on training in Japan, along with maintenance staff. The bullet train loco pilots are being trained on advanced simulators to uphold the highest standards of safety and efficiency, Vaishnaw told the media at the tunnel breakthrough site in Mumbai. He described the tunnel achievement as a landmark achievement. Sharing the latest updates on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, Vaishnaw noted that of the total 508-km route, viaduct construction has been completed over 320 km, with work progressing rapidly on the remaining sections. He highlighted the completion of a breakthrough in a 21-km tunnel, which includes a 7-km undersea stretch. The way the bullet train brought a sea change in the economy of areas falling between Osaka and Tokyo after the first one started running in Japan, the same kind of economic development would be seen across areas falling along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route, he asserted. Similarly, this project will unite Anand, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Vapi and Mumbai into a single economic corridor creating a unified market and accelerate industrial growth along this corridor, he said. He emphasised that the bullet train's fare structure will be affordable and aligned with the aspirations of the middle class seeking a comfortable travel option. He also confirmed that station construction is underway across all locations, with bridges over rivers en route also being built. Outlining the technological highlights of the project, the minister said, The use of single tunnel technology to accommodate two bullet trains and the deployment of 40-metre girders in viaduct construction represent significant technical achievements. He added that India has acquired substantial technical expertise through this project by working closely with Japanese experts. Discussions have already been held to introduce at least 10 E10 Shinkansen trains, Japans next-generation bullet train, in India. The tunnel will be a single-tube structure with a 13.1-metre diameter, designed to accommodate dual rail tracks for up and down bullet train movement. Meanwhile, a senior project source revealed that construction on 398 km of piers has been completed for the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. This includes 17 river bridges, nine steel bridges, and the installation of over 400,000 noise barriers across 206 km. Track bed construction has been finalised on 206 km, with more than 2,000 overhead equipment masts installed along 48 km of the mainline viaduct. The entire corridor will have 12 stationseight in Gujarat and four in Maharashtra. Of the total route, 348 km falls within Gujarat, 156 km in Maharashtra, and 4 km in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Social media post triggers communal violence in Gujarat; over 50 detained
Vadodara: Police detained around 50 people in Vadodara city of Gujarat on Saturday, September 20, following late-night rioting over a social media post in the Junigadhi area, officials said. A few people, including police personnel, were injured in stone-pelting, but the situation was swiftly brought under control, they said. Members of the Muslim community gathered Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
AHMEDABAD: Tension erupted in Vadodaras old city on Friday night after a controversial AI-generated social media post targeting minority religious sentiments went viral. Crowds clashed, stones were thrown, and more than 50 people were detained as police restored order amid heightened communal anxiety. Vadodara witnessed a sharp spike in communal tension late Friday after the viral post inflamed locals in the old city area. The locality became a flashpoint as residents gathered in large numbers, creating a highly volatile situation and hurling stones. Police rushed to the scene as the mobs anger escalated, attempting to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control. The unrest quickly spread to the Vadodara City Police Station, where a mob demanded strict action against the individual responsible for the post. A heavy police presence, including convoys and barricades, was deployed to manage the crowd. About 50 suspects linked to the stone-throwing incident were taken into custody by the Crime Branch from the police station, further intensifying tensions in the area. City police moved swiftly, filing complaints against the accused for spreading communal provocation and registering cases of rioting. Additional security measures were put in place, including two policemen stationed outside the city police station to prevent escalation, while police patrolled the Junagadhi area to maintain calm. Additional Police Commissioner Lina Patil confirmed that separate police and Crime Branch teams intervened promptly, calming the crowd and restoring peace in the affected areas. Addl CP Lina Patil said, There was an incident in the citys old area that hurt religious sentiments. Following this, a crowd gathered outside the police station. Our teams, including separate units from the local police and Crime Branch, immediately intervened to control the situation. The matter has now been contained, and peace has been restored. Police personnel remain deployed in different areas to ensure continued safety, and action is being taken against all those involved in inciting communal tension. DCP Andrew McEwan added that the viral video had triggered the unrest and that police conducted combing operations across the city to prevent further incidents. Legal action has been taken on the viral post and rioting incidents. More than 50 people have been detained so far, DCP McEwan said, underscoring the polices resolve to curb any communal flare-ups.
Communal clash erupts in Gujarat's Vadodara over offensive social media post
A communal clash broke out in Gujarat's Vadodara on late Friday, i.e., September 19, after a Navratri Pandal was attacked with stones following an offensive social media post.
Gujarat: 50 detained after stone-pelting incident in Vadodara
Tension gripped Vadodara's Zunigarhi area after a social media post triggered unrest. A crowd gathered, and some allegedly attacked a Navratri pandal. Vehicles were damaged, and stone-pelting ensued. Police swiftly responded, detaining fifty individuals. An investigation is underway. A similar incident occurred in Karnataka's Maddur town during a Ganpati procession.
I Only Got 4: Gujarat Woman Blocks Road After Fight With Golgappa Seller
In most cities, traffic is disrupted by processions, political rallies, or the occasional monsoon downpour. In Gujarat's Vadodara this week, the culprit was golgappas, the popular street food.
Two panipuris short, woman sits on road in Gujarat's Vadodara causing chaos
AHMEDABAD: A street-food dispute over two missing panipuris turned into a dramatic public spectacle in Vadodaras bustling Sursagar area on Thursday evening, halting traffic and drawing a massive crowd. According to police, around 5 pm, a woman, who had been regularly visiting a local panipuri stall for the past two days, bought panipuri worth Rs 20. Soon after, she angrily accused the vendor of cheating her by serving two panipuris less and claimed he had been short-changing her repeatedly. What began as a verbal spat quickly spiralled into chaos. The woman sat down in the middle of the road, blocking vehicles and triggering curiosity among passers-by. Drivers stopped, and within minutes, a crowd gathered, trying to figure out why the woman was staging such a dramatic protest. As tempers flared, the woman broke down in tears, alleging harassment. Every time he gives me fewer panipuris and abuses me. He bullies me and treats me badly. I dont want his lorry here, stop it, she told police officers, refusing to leave the road. A bizarre scene unfolded in #Vadodara city, as a woman created high-voltage drama after allegedly receiving only 4 Golgappas instead of 6 for 20. She sat in the middle of the road, halting traffic and demanding justice. Police had to intervene. @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/eazODLebGr Dilip Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) September 19, 2025 The vendor, however, strongly denied the accusations, insisting he had been running his stall at the same spot for 14 years without trouble. I even gave her extra panipuris to calm her down, but she still hit me, he claimed, shocked by the unexpected drama. Police soon arrived to manage the crowd and pacify the woman. After a round of counselling, they managed to escort her to the police station and later sent her home. However, the matter did not end there. The woman warned police, saying, If that lorry is back in two hours, it wont be good. Taking her threat seriously, police revisited the spot and found the vendor had resumed business. Officers once again counselled him and ordered him to temporarily remove his stall, finally bringing the heated standoff to a close.
Mujhe Kam Diya: Woman Sits In Middle Of Road After Fight Over Golgappas
In most cities, traffic is disrupted by processions, political rallies, or the occasional monsoon downpour. In Gujarat's Vadodara this week, the culprit was golgappas, the popular street food.
Got 4 Golgappas, Not 6 For Rs 20: Woman Sits On Protest On Busy Vadodara Road Demanding Justice
The woman sat on the road, halting traffic and demanding justice for what she claimed was unfair treatment
Gujarat Couple Claims Son Held Captive In Thailand, Probe On
A couple from Vadodara has claimed their 28-year-old son has been held captive for five months in Thailand, prompting police to launch a probe into the matter, an official said.
A fresh tender seeks to transform the two stations into modern transport hubs, with multi-modal integration for buses, autos, parking and passenger facilities
Vadodara Municipal Corporation to reclaim land near TMC MP Yusuf Pathan's house following HC ruling
Yusuf Pathan faces land possession issues. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation will reclaim land next to his Tandalja house. The Gujarat High Court ruled against Pathan's petition. He was deemed an encroacher on the 978 square metre plot. The court rejected his claim of attempting payment. The VMC had initially considered selling the land to him.
One dead, 12 hospitalised after toxic gas leak at Gujarat Fluoro Chemical Company
AHMEDABAD: In an industrial mishap, a toxic gas leak at the Gujarat Fluoro Chemical Company (GFL) in Ranjitnagar, Ghoghamba taluka of Panchmahal district, Gujarat, left 12 workers hospitalised and claimed one life. Initial reports of a boiler blast caused widespread panic, but authorities later confirmed that no explosion had occurredonly a sudden leak of hazardous gas. The incident took place between 12:00 and 12:30 pm when R-32 gas, a refrigerant commonly used in air conditioners, escaped from a pipeline inside the plant. Workers quickly experienced nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. The companys in-house health team immediately administered antidotes and shifted them to hospitals in Halol, while five critically affected workers were later moved to Vadodara for specialised treatment. Despite the rapid response, one worker succumbed to the gas exposure. District Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudhat, who rushed to the site to inspect the plant, dispelled rumours of a boiler explosion. There was no explosion, as some messages are claiming. The incident was caused by an R-32 gas leak from a pipeline. This gas, commonly used in air conditioners, led to nausea and vomiting among some workers, SP Dudhat said. He confirmed that 12 workers were hospitalised, with one fatality reported so far. The affected workers were first treated at the companys occupational health centre, where they were given an antidote, and then immediately referred to hospitals in Halol, he added. Praising the companys swift response, SP Dudhat noted that sprinklers and emergency procedures were activated promptly, bringing the leakage under control. We are standing here without masks to assure the public there is no danger now, and no need to panic, he emphasised. Company officials corroborated this account. Anil Vijay Killari, Deputy Unit Head at GFL, said the leak was contained within 1520 seconds but affected 1012 workers. Our safety and environment teams are investigating the exact cause of the leak. As a precaution, the entire plant has been shut down. Villagers were informed immediately, and many of them came forward to help during the emergency, Killari stated. Local police and health department teams rushed to the scene as soon as the incident was reported. Villagers living near the plant were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Authorities are now awaiting a medical report to confirm the exact cause of death. SP Dudhat said that a thorough investigation is underway to determine how the R-32 gas escaped the pipeline and to ensure such an incident does not occur again. This incident has reignited concerns over industrial safety protocols in Gujarat, especially in plants handling hazardous chemicals, raising urgent questions about preventive measures and rapid response mechanisms.
Gujarat scam complaints pile up, just Rs 7.5 crore recovered out of Rs 402 crore
AHMEDABAD: On Day 1 of the Gujarat Assembly session, Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani grilled the state government on scam complaints under the Gujarat Protection of Interest of Deposits Act-2003. The Home Department revealed 81 complaints were filed in the past two years, with a staggering Rs 402.21 crore trapped. To recover the money, the state seized and auctioned properties of two companies, but only Rs 7.53 crore has been returned to duped investors so far leaving a massive gap still unresolved. The monsoon session of the Gujarat Assembly opened with a storm on Monday, as Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani dropped the bombshell on the state government. On Day 1, Mevani asked the Home Department about the fraudulent Ponzi schemes and scam companies that duped thousands of investors across Gujarat. In his query, Mevani demanded details on how many complaints were filed under the Gujarat Protection of Interest of Deposits Act, 2003, how much public money is stuck, and how much has actually been recovered. The governments reply shocked the House as 81 complaints were lodged in the past two years, trapping a staggering Rs 402.21 crore of investors' money. Despite this massive figure, action was taken against only two companies, with seized assets auctioned off. The recovery? A meagre Rs 7.53 crore returned to investors. This revelation comes against the backdrop of two mega scams that rocked Gujarat in the last two years. In 2024, Bhupendrasinh Zala, CEO of BZ Group, allegedly pulled off a Rs 6,000-crore Ponzi scam by luring over 14,000 investors with promises of double returns in three years and lucrative monthly payouts. Gandhinagar CID Crime teams raided multiple locations across Sabarkantha, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, and Rajasthan, uncovering transactions worth Rs 175 crore linked to the group. BZ Financial Services, at the scam's core, was found to be completely unauthorised. As the BZ scandal was still unfolding, 2025 brought another crypto-fueled scam, this time in Rajkot. A company named Blockora duped 8,000 investors, including 40 from Rajkot alone, siphoning off Rs 300 crore. The scheme promised daily returns of Rs 4,000 on an initial investment of Rs 4.25 lakh. Investors were pushed to buy a fake cryptocurrency called TABC, only for the companys founders and partners to vanish overnight.
Delhi experienced a weekend of humidity and light rain, while Punjab faces severe flooding with significant casualties and displacement. Gujarat's Vadodara is grappling with waterlogging after heavy rainfall. The IMD has issued alerts for heavy showers in East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Gujarat on red alert as IMD warns of torrential rains for two days
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat is bracing for two days of torrential rains as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for several districts. The state government has swung into action, deploying 12 NDRF and 20 SDRF teams across the state, while urging citizens to stay safe, especially during Ganesh Visarjan celebrations and the GPSC examination scheduled for tomorrow. As dark clouds loom over the state, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi convened an emergency review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), Gandhinagar, on Saturday, to assess preparedness. With heavy rainfall predicted on September 6 and 7, the IMD has sounded red alerts for Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mehsana, and Surendranagar districts on Saturday, and in Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, and Kutch for Sunday. Meanwhile, orange alerts have been issued in Patan, Gandhinagar, Morbi, Rajkot, and Botad. During the high-level meeting, attended by Additional Chief Secretary Jayanti Ravi and Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, district collectors were directed via video conference to stay on high alert. Joshi ordered round-the-clock presence of officials at district headquarters and directed them to monitor water levels in dams, release excess water when needed, and warn low-lying villages in advance. With large crowds expected for Ganesh Visarjan, the Chief Secretary emphasised strict crowd management near immersion sites. Ensure safe immersion by keeping people away from dangerous water bodies, Joshi instructed, highlighting the dual challenge of heavy rains and mass gatherings. The upcoming GPSC examination also came under focus, with orders issued to strengthen security and maintain vigilance at all exam centers. Meanwhile, NDRF and SDRF deployment will be reinforced in red-alert districts, and an additional NDRF team has been kept on standby in Vadodara. The review also saw coordination with multiple departments, including Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Energy, Health, Panchayat, Urban Development, Irrigation, and Roads, to ensure readiness for any emergency situation. So far, Gujarat has received 98% of its seasonal average rainfall, and the next 48 hours could prove crucial as authorities race to prevent floods, ensure public safety, and maintain order amid natures fury.
Gujarat on high alert as IMD predicts extreme rainfall; red alert in six districts
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat is bracing for two days of torrential rains as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for several districts. The state government has swung into action, deploying 12 NDRF and 20 SDRF teams across the state, while urging citizens to stay safe, especially during Ganesh Visarjan celebrations and the GPSC examination scheduled for tomorrow. Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi convened an emergency review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), Gandhinagar on Saturday, to assess preparedness. With heavy rainfall predicted on September 6 and 7, the IMD has sounded red alerts today for Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mehsana, and Surendranagar districts. Red alert has been issued for Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, and Kutch for tomorrow. Meanwhile, orange alerts have been issued in Patan, Gandhinagar, Morbi, Rajkot, and Botad. During the high-level meeting, attended by Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi and Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, district collectors were directed via video conference to stay on high alert. Joshi ordered round-the-clock presence of officials at district headquarters and directed them to monitor water levels in dams, release excess water when needed, and warn low-lying villages in advance. With large crowds expected for Ganesh Visarjan, the Chief Secretary emphasised strict crowd management near immersion sites. Ensure safe and smooth immersion by keeping citizens away from dangerous water bodies, Joshi instructed, highlighting the dual challenge of heavy rains and mass gatherings. The upcoming GPSC examination also came under focus, with orders issued to strengthen security and maintain vigilance at all exam centres. Meanwhile, NDRF and SDRF deployment will be reinforced in red-alert districts, and an additional NDRF team has been kept on standby in Vadodara. The review also saw coordination with multiple departments, including Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Energy, Health, Panchayat, Urban Development, Irrigation, and Roads, to ensure readiness for any emergency situation. So far, Gujarat has received 98% of its seasonal average rainfall, and the next 48 hours could prove crucial as authorities race to prevent floods, ensure public safety, and maintain order amid natures fury.
