Dholera Smart City aims to become a global center for trade and manufacturing. It plans to create jobs for around 2 million people and support various industries. Similarly, the plan includes Mega Industrial Parks to aid these industries in their growth.
The central government anticipates a need for over 9,500 hectares of industrial space by 2030. To address this, they plan to develop Mega Industrial Parks in the DSIR, located 100 km south of Ahmedabad. Furthermore, developers will undertake these parks in three phases. Phase 1 will cover 3,000 hectares, strategically placed on government-owned land east of the expressway.
Consequently, Phase 1 is structured to meet the industrial space needs for the initial ten years. Each of the eight economic sectors has designated areas. Moreover, Phases 2 and 3 expand eastward and to the southwest quadrant while maintaining connectivity.
Additionally, seven planning principles guide the development of these mega industrial parks:
Main industrial lands will be on both sides of the expressway for easy transit.
Similarly, Phase 1 will use government-owned land for quick distribution to initial tenants.
Consequently, direct access for freight vehicles through grade-separated junctions will prevent traffic congestion.
A box grid of roadways will connect industrial sectors, serving public transportation.
Furthermore, maximizing direct rail routes will enhance rail-based freight.
Additionally, an inland container port and logistics zone will be developed for convenient access.
Subsequently, the disintegration of industrial land into mega parks allows for better planning and management under various property forms.
Phases of Dholera
PHASE 1: The Dholera Smart City project aims to complete its initial phase by 2023. Moreover, it has accomplished approximately 95% of the work. Nearly finished is phase one, spanning 22 square kilometers. Additionally, the development of Dholera Smart City progresses in stages. Consequently, upon the completion of the first phase, it will stand as the largest Greenfield smart city in India.
PHASE 2: The Dholera smart city project has not yet announced the completion date for phase 2. Yet, the expectation is that phase 2 will commence after the completion of phase 1 of the project. Furthermore, under phase 2 of the Dholera smart city project, Town planning 3 and 4 will be undertaken. Town Planning 3 covers an area of around 66.60 sq. km. Furthermore, the area designated for development in Town Planning 4 will be approximately 60 sq. km.
PHASE 3: Town Planning 5 and 6 constitute the third phase of the Dholera smart city project. Similarly, Phase 5 aims for a developed area of about 74.75 square kilometers, while Phase 6 targets 67.63 square kilometers.
Furthermore, the completion of the Dholera Smart City project is anticipated by 2042 or later. Consequently, the public will gain access to both residential and commercial/industrial zones after each phase.
Lucrative Investment Opportunity for Industries in Dholera
Consequently, Phase 1 is designed to meet the industrial space needs for the first ten years. Each of the eight economic sectors has designated specific areas. Dholera, in particular, encourages investment in sectors like agro-based, steel, automotive, aerospace, and information technology industries.
In a meeting called “Exploring Investment Opportunities in Dholera,” the Dholera Industrial City Development Limited and the Surat South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry met at Samridhi, Nanpura, Surat. Dilip Brahmbhatt, General Manager of Commercial, Corporate, and HR at DICDL voiced support for entrepreneurship in various businesses.
Smart City Offers Advantages for Businesses
Ashish Gujarat, the Chamber President, emphasized Dholera as a perfect place to move engineering, chemical, plastic, and fertilizer businesses. This is despite Surat’s growth as an industrial city. Dholera is making progress with plans for the National Defence University and a sizable solar park. These plans are attracting investments in renewable energy and auto ancillary.
With advancements in transportation innovation, efficiency, and digitization, there’s a likelihood that businesses may relocate to Dholera. Future road, port, and air connectivity will be advantageous for industrialists. An expressway is currently under construction to reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera. The aim is to decrease the travel time from two hours to a mere fifty-five minutes.
Moreover, the ports are conveniently located near Bhavnagar, Pipavav, Kandla, and Mundra, situated 200 and 350 kilometers away. This facilitates the easy transit of goods. Efforts are underway to plan a 32-kilometer train route from Bhimnath to Dholera, along with the construction of an airport.
At present, the allocation of industrial plots in Dholera, ranging from one acre to 350 acres, is underway. Dholera, a smart city, covers 920 square kilometers in its planned layout. It will meet all basic citizen needs and include infrastructure, medical, and educational facilities. Following the guidance of the Gujarat Town Planning Framework, the Chamber’s group chairman, Bhavesh T., envisions Dholera expanding beyond Singapore’s territory and provides insights into its promising future in Gujarat.
Companies Interested in Investing in India’s First Smart City
Many companies applying for Product Link Incentive (PLI) schemes have expressed strong interest in investing in Dholera DSIR. This interest stands out because DSIR is the first industrial smart city being developed near Ahmedabad.
Non-polluted Industries can apply in Smart City
Hareet Shukla is the Managing Director of Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL). He mentioned that many companies, that are applying for PLI schemes, have shown interest in investing. This interest is because the infrastructure for two out of a total of 23 town planning schemes in DSIR is now complete. Additionally, the necessary facilities for industries are in place.
They encourage all non-polluting industries to apply. Similarly, Tata Power and Tata Chemicals, both part of the Tata Group, have already established themselves at DSIR. Moreover, Tata Power has started operating a 300 MW solar power plant. Torrent Power Limited has also secured the rights to distribute power in the upcoming DSIR. Furthermore, Shukla, who is also the MD of Dholera International Airport Company, stated that the company is developing a solar panel manufacturing unit.
Different Zones of Dholera SIR
In the next five years, DSIR, covering 922 sq km, will have excellent rail, road, and air connectivity. Additionally, DICDL is offering a significant land chunk for large companies with state-of-the-art infrastructure. As a result, out of the entire 922 sq km area, 340 sq km is in the coastal control zone. They will use the remaining 422 sq km for commercial purposes, allocating 15–20% for green space. They have fully developed the core area of the upcoming DSIR, which covers 22.5 sq km and includes a few TP schemes.
The Administrative Cum Business Center for Dholera Smart City is operational, equipped with features like a business and exhibition center. Subsequently, the canal network, inner roads, and the 20 million liters per day Common Effluent Treatment Plant are fully functioning.
Despite the cancellation of both the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit and Defense Expo scheduled for last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DSIR remained the focal point of both events. However, the current main focus is on industries. Industries such as advanced agro-processing, data centers, automotive, defense, solar panel manufacturing, electric vehicles (EVs), and auto ancillaries.
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