More expensive than gold, this place in Gujarat has become India's premier platinum-rated industrial smart city

The upcoming 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) will highlight the progress of Dholera SIR, including the targeted completion of a state-of-the-art 4-lane expressway to Ahmedabad by 2024. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s team is actively supervising the development of the city.

The first phase of Dholera SIR (22.54 sq km) is 95% complete, opening doors for global investments. The Chief Minister emphasized the city’s advanced infrastructure, strategic location, and potential in emerging sectors like semiconductors and green hydrogen, aligning with PM Modi’s vision of a world-class smart industrial city by 2047.

Established under the SIR Act of 2009, Dholera is India’s first greenfield city with a platinum rating from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Covering about 100 km south of Ahmedabad and 130 km from Gandhinagar, DSIR offers plug-and-play infrastructure, low power tariffs, and is a hub for non-polluting industries.

The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) and DSIR Development Authority (DSIRDA) created Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL) to implement the projects. Out of 920 sq km, 422 sq km is developable, with 110 sq km earmarked for industrial development. The first phase includes industries, residential areas, mixed-use spaces, recreation, social infrastructure, and tourism, with land parcels from 1 acre to 330 acres already allocated.

Advanced water management in Phase 1 includes a 50 MLD water treatment plant, Master Balancing Reservoir (MBR), elevated service reservoirs, 10 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP), and 20 MLD common effluent treatment plant (CETP). The City Integrated Operations Center ensures efficient water supply for residential, commercial, and industrial needs.

Dholera SIR is well connected via air, roads, railways, and sea. The 4-lane expressway to Ahmedabad is underway with 2024 completion targeted. Metro rail rights of way have been acquired, and the Bhimnath-Dholera Freight Rail Line DPR is approved. Dholera International Airport, expected by December 2025, will handle 300,000 passengers and 20,000+ tonnes of cargo annually.

The city is a hub for semiconductors and displays with a dedicated Semicon City. Renewable energy is supported by Renew Power’s solar module and cell plant, Tata Chemicals’ lithium-ion battery plant, Hindustan Petroleum fuel and EV charging stations, and Torrent Power’s distribution network.

DSIR’s coastal regulation zone includes 8500 hectares earmarked for solar parks. The 4400 MW Dholera solar park, under GUVNL and PPP model, contributes to India’s 2030 green energy targets. Power evacuation is managed by GETCO, and Tata Power has commissioned 300 MW of the 1000 MW capacity.

Greenfield smart cities like DSIR support defense, aviation, electronics, high-tech industries, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and heavy engineering. Dholera benefits from the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), with 38% of the DFC passing through Gujarat, making it a prime destination for global investments.