What Is Dholera Smart City?

Dholera Smart City, also known as the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), is India’s first and largest planned greenfield industrial smart city. Located in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, it spans approximately 920 sq. km and is being developed as a global manufacturing and trading hub under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) initiative. The project is a joint effort between the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat, designed to set new benchmarks in sustainable and technology-driven urban growth.

Dholera is considered unique for several key reasons:

1. Greenfield Planning and Scale

Unlike traditional cities that expand over time, Dholera is a greenfield city, meaning it is planned and built from the ground up on previously undeveloped land. This approach allows for future-ready urban planning, underground utility systems, and integrated transportation networks. At 920 sq. km, it is designed to be twice the size of Delhi and six times larger than Shanghai.

2. Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure

The sources highlight that Dholera is a benchmark for smart governance and advanced utilities:

• Centralised Control: The city features 100% smart utilities managed by a centralised command and control centre.

• Underground Utilities: It utilizes underground utility ducts for all services, ensuring no overhead wires and a clean urban landscape.

• Green Standards: It is envisioned as India’s first "Platinum" rated green smart city, incorporating eco-friendly zoning, a massive 5GW Solar Park, and advanced rainwater harvesting technologies.

3. Multi-Modal Connectivity

Dholera’s economic potential is driven by an extensive multi-modal transport network:

• Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway: A high-speed, 4-to-6-lane access-controlled highway that significantly reduces travel time to Ahmedabad.

• International Airport: An upcoming Greenfield International Airport designed to handle passenger, cargo, and logistics traffic.

• Metro and Rail: A dedicated metro line connecting Dholera to Ahmedabad and integration with the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) for efficient industrial logistics.

4. Strategic Industrial and Tech Ecosystem

The city is specifically zoned for non-polluting, high-tech, and heavy industries. It is emerging as a critical hub for:

• Semiconductors: Host to major projects like the Tata Semiconductor Plant (a ₹91,000 crore fabrication facility) and partnerships with companies like Tokyo Electron.

• Aerospace and Defence: Targeted as a primary sector for industrial growth and exports.

• Renewable Energy: Focus on solar industries and lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

5. Economic and Social Impact

The project aims to double the region's employment potential, triple its industrial output, and quadruple its exports within a short span. It is designed to host over 20 lakh residents by 2040 and create over 8 lakh jobs, positioning it as a significant center for long-term wealth creation and industrial revolution in India