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Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is India’s flagship greenfield smart industrial city project, strategically positioned in Gujarat as part of the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). It is designed to be a model for sustainable urbanization and economic growth, integrating world-class infrastructure, multi-modal connectivity, and phased development to support industries, residents, and global investors alike.
🌆 Planned Infrastructure Framework
The development of Dholera SIR is structured into multiple phases, ensuring systematic rollout of infrastructure and services over the next two decades:
🔹 Phase 1 (2020-2025): Activation & Core Infrastructure
Focuses on establishing the foundational infrastructure within an Activation Area (~22.5 sq km) — roads, underground utilities, power grid connections, stormwater drainage, and service corridors.
🔹 Phase 2 (2025-2030): Expansion & Urban Services
This phase emphasizes residential townships, social infrastructure (schools, hospitals, retail), and expansion of industrial and commercial zones beyond the activation corridor.
🔹 Phase 3 (2031-2040+): Full-Scale Smart City Operations
Complete build-out across the 920 sq km SIR with expressways, metro/rapid transit systems, advanced urban services, and full functioning of all zones.
Today, critical infrastructure in Phase 1 is nearly complete, with utilities operational and the area ready for industrial and commercial activities.
🛣️ Road & Highway Connectivity
- The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway — a driven game-changer — is a 109 km, six-lane access-controlled corridor connecting Dholera to Ahmedabad, drastically reducing travel time to under an hour once fully operational.
- This expressway also aligns with broader regional infrastructure like the Golden Quadrilateral and national highway networks, strengthening logistics and supply chain connectivity.
✈️ Air Connectivity: Dholera International Airport
A greenfield Dholera International Airport near the SIR is well underway and expected to commence operations around 2025-26. The airport will serve both passenger and cargo traffic, enhancing regional accessibility and positioning Dholera as a global trade and manufacturing gateway.
The project is anticipated to augment trade logistics, support export-oriented industries, and improve executive mobility, making Dholera highly competitive for international investors.
🚆 Future Rail & Transit Integration
Planned rail infrastructure is a critical pillar of Dholera’s connectivity plan:
- Metro / Mass Rapid Transit links are planned between Dholera and Ahmedabad to facilitate efficient passenger movement.
- Dedicated freight rail corridors (linked with the Dedicated Freight Corridor — DFC) are envisioned to support fast and efficient goods movement to ports and industrial centers.
These rail projects will work in tandem with road and air connectivity to ensure multi-modal logistics that serve residents and businesses alike.
🔌 Utilities & Smart Infrastructure
Dholera SIR’s smart infrastructure is designed to exceed conventional urban standards:
- Power Supply: A dedicated grid with multiple substations ensures reliable electricity for industrial operations and residential use.
- Water & Drainage: Smart water networks are being established to provide 24×7 supply with advanced monitoring and groundwater recharge systems.
- Smart Roads & Underground Utilities: Roads with underground duct systems improve aesthetics and support future upgrades without surface disruption.
- Command & Control: Centralized governance centres like the ABCD Building Dholera facilitate streamlined investor services and administrative oversight.
📈 Economic & Urban Growth Trajectory
Dholera SIR is more than just an industrial hub — it’s planned as an integrated smart city:
✅ Industrial Zones: Dedicated sectors for manufacturing, high-tech industries, and logistics.
✅ Residential & Commercial Areas: Multi-use zones with housing, retail, offices, and civic amenities.
✅ Renewable Energy: Large scale solar parks support sustainability and reliable power for energy-intensive industries.
✅ Population & Jobs: Designed to accommodate millions of residents and create hundreds of thousands of jobs by 2040.
This integrated development plan positions Dholera to attract multinational firms, especially in semiconductors, electronics, automotive components, and clean energy sectors.
🔮 Future Outlook
By the early 2030s, Dholera SIR is expected to emerge as a fully functional smart industrial city, with complete urban infrastructure, flawless multi-modal connectivity, and global business appeal. Ongoing projects like expressways, airport operations, mass transit systems, and industrial build-outs continue to pave the way for its evolution as a strategic economic engine for India.
With development milestones being achieved ahead of schedule and core infrastructure now in place, Dholera SIR is steadily transforming from a planned vision into a modern urban reality.
Conclusion
The Dholera SIR Project’s development plan demonstrates how careful phased planning, world-class connectivity, and smart infrastructure can create a dynamic growth ecosystem. From industrial zones and logistics networks to residential spaces and digital governance, the city is designed to set global benchmarks for sustainable urbanization while catalyzing economic development across western India.