Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs Bhoomi Poojan of Ahmedabad, Surat Metro: Highlights

Media mocked me when I warned PM Modi about COVID-19: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that last year, he and his party leaders collectively warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about COVID-19 virus and requested him to take action to save economy, small-scale industry and migrant labourers but media mocked him. "Last year in Feb, all Congress leaders and I collectively said to PM that India is going to be affected by COVID. You start preparing to save economy, migrant labourers and small-scale industry. Press mocked me and said I am trying to scare people,' he said.

Centre committed to ensure adequate availability of vaccines: PM Modi

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14 interacted with Governors and Lieutenant Governors of all states and Union Territories on COVID-19 situation and ongoing vaccination drive in the country through video conferencing. PM Modi suggested that Governors can actively engage to ensure that social institutions collaborate seamlessly with the state governments towards micro containment. He also underlined that Centre is committed to ensuring adequate availability of vaccines. The Prime Minister added that during 'Tika Utsav', vaccination drive was expanded and new vaccination centres have also came up.

COVID surge: Ahmedabad Civil Hospital bears the burden

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, queue of ambulances seen waiting outside Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad on April 14 to admit patients. "10 days earlier, about 2800-2900 cases reported daily. But these days we are getting 4500-4600 daily cases. Emergency flow increased to 50%. Almost more cases are corona related. There are 625 ambulances working for 108 services. Also, we had added 60 more ambulances. Hospital wait time has exceeded as it's not the duty of 108 to assign the hospitals to corona patients. One has to call Municipal Corporation," said Hospital's Head of Emergency Satish Patel.

Drive-through COVID testing facility launched in Ahmedabad

In a joint venture of Municipal Corporation and Neuberg Supratech, drive-through RT-PCR testing has been launched at GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad on April 14 to ramp up COVID testing amid rising cases. Those who came for the test, have to scan QR code. After registration, their vehicles are allowed inside for testing. Director of Neuberg Supratech Laboratory, Dr Sandip Shah said, "It's a joint venture and first time initiative in the country. We are assumed to take around 5000-6000 samples through drive through testing and disposing off a car within 3 minutes. We will provide reports within 36 hours. It will help to contain COVID by limiting the rush."

COVID: Ahmedabad hospital burdened with patients

As the country is reeling under the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, long queue of ambulances seen outside 1200-beded Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Oxygen is being administered to patients in the ambulance only. On March 12, state reported 6,021 new infections and 55 deaths. Currently, Gujarat has over 30,000 actives cases of coronavirus, out of which 7,165 are in Ahmedabad alone. Gujarat is among the 10 worst-affected states in India due to pandemic.

BJP spreading rumours, Sharad Pawar didn't meet Amit Shah: Nawab Malik

After a newspaper in Gujarat claimed that NCP chief Sharad Pawar and party leader Praful Patel met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Ahmedabad recently amid political crisis in Maharashtra, NCP's Mumbai chief Nawab Malik dismissed the news and said that no such meeting has taken place. "A newspaper in Gujarat published a piece of news that (Sharad) Pawar Sahib and Praful Patel met Amit Shah. For the last two days, rumours are being spread on Twitter. No such meeting took place," said The rumour, however, was intensified by Shah himself who during a public rally where he said that everything cannot be made public.