Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is India’s most ambitious urban and industrial development project — a greenfield smart industrial city designed to become a global economic powerhouse. Located in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district, Dholera SIR spans over 920 square kilometres and is part of the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), a cornerstone initiative to boost India’s industrial growth and international competitiveness.
What Is Dholera SIR?
Dholera SIR is a planned smart industrial city envisioned to integrate world-class infrastructure, advanced technology, sustainable living, and industrial growth. It is being jointly developed by the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat through specialized agencies like the Dholera Industrial City Development Ltd. (DICDL) under the Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority (DSIRDA).
Strategically positioned approximately 100 km southwest of Ahmedabad, the city lies between major urban hubs such as Baroda, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar — making it an ideal location for investment, manufacturing, and logistics.
Vision & Objectives
🌍 Smart & Sustainable Urban Planning
Dholera SIR is envisioned as a fully planned, connected, and sustainable city with smart infrastructure at its core. This includes:
- Underground utilities and integrated services
- High-speed fiber optic connectivity and ICT networks
- Smart traffic management and automated urban systems
- Renewable energy integration and green infrastructure
🏭 Industrial & Economic Growth
Designated zones within Dholera SIR are planned for industrial, commercial, and residential use, supporting sectors such as:
- Electronics and high-tech manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
- Automotive and auto ancillaries
- Defence and aerospace
- Agro-processing and logistics industries
The city’s industrial plan also aligns with national programs like the Semiconductor India Programme, with major global and domestic companies showing interest in establishing fabs and manufacturing facilities.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Connectivity is a cornerstone of Dholera’s design:
✨ Road & Transit: Linked to Ahmedabad via a planned 6-lane access-controlled expressway and future MRTS/metro corridor for seamless transport.
✈️ Airport: The Dholera Greenfield International Airport is under development and expected to boost both passenger and cargo connectivity, reinforcing Dholera’s strategic location.
🚆 Rail & Freight: Plans include integration with the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and freight rail networks to enhance logistics efficiency.
Phased Development
Dholera SIR is being developed in stages over several decades:
- Phase I: Town Planning Schemes (TP) 1 & 2 covering ~153 sq km.
- Subsequent Phases: TP 3 through TP 6 will guide gradual expansion and urban growth over the next 20-30 years.
This structured roadmap ensures systematic infrastructure build-out, investment flow, and phased habitation and industrial use.
Economic & Investment Potential
As a flagship project under the DMIC, Dholera has quickly become a magnet for domestic and international investors. With planned plug-and-play infrastructure, single-window clearances, and sustainable urban planning, it offers a future-ready ecosystem for businesses and residents alike.
Analysts project hundreds of thousands of jobs once the city reaches full operational maturity, with land held in strategic TP zones expected to appreciate significantly as infrastructure progresses.
Why Dholera SIR Matters
- 🌏 A global-level industrial hub geared for 21st-century manufacturing
- 🚀 A smart city blueprint leveraging technology and sustainability
- 💼 A job creation engine and investment magnet
- 🏙️ A planned urban ecosystem with quality living standards
Conclusion
Dholera SIR represents a transformative chapter in India’s urban and industrial planning — marrying technological infrastructure with economic vision. Positioned as the nation’s first planned smart industrial city, it not only catalyses Gujarat’s development but also reflects India’s ambition to build globally competitive smart urban ecosystems.