Dholera International Airport is a new international airport that is currently under development. Its IATA code is none, and its ICAO code is none. Moreover, it strategically sits in the Dholera taluka of Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, India, close to Navagam.
They plan to install a Category 9 Fire Station at the airport. Additionally, it will feature a runway measuring 3200 meters by 45 meters, specifically designed for Type 4E aircraft.
Dholera International Airport will meet all the necessary criteria. It will be a top-notch facility for various aviation industry activities in the surrounding area. Moreover, the airport is about 80 km from Ahmedabad. It is also just 20 km from the vast 1,426-hectare Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR).
At the same time, the DSIR is a big industrial area in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. Moreover, the project does more than handle the airport’s logistical requirements.
It also aims to reduce congestion at the current Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which serves Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat. Consequently, the plan is to have Dholera International Airport operational by December 2025.
The airport will have good connectivity with the city’s transport systems. Furthermore, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has obtained a 120-meter-wide strip from Dholera SIR to Ahmedabad. As a result, they will use 90 meters of this strip to build a six-lane highway. They will reserve the remaining 30 meters for a Metro link.
Furthermore, the Gujarat state government plans to invest Rs 20,000 crore for the overall infrastructure development in Dholera SIR. This includes the development of the Dholera International Airport.
Progress of the Dholera International Airport
In January 2010, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a techno-economic feasibility study for the Dholera International Airport location. Moreover, they granted technical permission the following month. Furthermore, in July 2014, the federal government cleared the site. Additionally, in December 2015, the Environment Ministry provided environmental approval.
Moreover, in 2012, the State Government of Gujarat established the Dholera International Airport Company Ltd. (DIACL). They created it as a special-purpose vehicle for airport development. However, in 2018, the Airports Authority of India acquired a 51% share. Consequently, this action resulted in the reduction of the Gujarat government’s ownership to 33%. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) now owns the remaining 16%. Moving to January 2019, the State Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a MoU for airport construction.
In 2021, the Airport Authority (AAI) released a Rs. 987 crore tender for the first phase of the airport project. Moreover, the airport has a 3,200-meter runway suitable for 4E class aircraft. It is expected to cater to the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) and the areas around it. Additionally, it will handle overflow traffic from Ahmedabad International Airport. The Gujarat government has allocated 1427 hectares of land for the project. Moreover, the government has assigned 75 hectares of land for commercial development.
International Airport Expected to Be Ready by December 2025
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen. V K Singh (Retd) declared the expectation. The expectation of complete the Greenfield Airport in Dholera by December 2023. Therefore, this signifies a significant milestone in the project’s timeline.
The GOI declared the Probable Date of Completion for the project in response to Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin. Furthermore, they announced that they expect to complete it by December 2025. However, the actual timeline relies on several factors. These factors include obtaining necessary approvals, securing finances, and acquiring the property. Consequently, multiple considerations may influence the completion date.
The Dholera airport boasts two key features. One is a 3200-meter runway designed for “Code E” aircraft operations. Moving to, the other is a passenger terminal building with a capacity to accommodate 3.5 million passengers annually (MPPA). Likewise, these features are designed to meet the growing demands of air travel in the region.
In January 2016, the Government of India granted ‘In-Principle’ approval to establish the Greenfield Airport at Dholera (Ahmedabad). This approval was given to the State Government of Gujarat (GoG). Additionally, a joint venture company named Dholera International Airport Company Limited (DIACL) is carrying out the project. The expected cost of the project is Rs. 1305 crore. In this venture, the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT), AAI, and the Government of Gujarat hold equity. The ratio of their equity participation is 51:33:16, respectively. Moreover, this collaboration ensures a collective effort toward the successful execution of the project.
The Need for a New International Airport in Gujarat
Dholera International Airport is set to become the largest airport in the state of Gujarat. This growth will support the development of MRO, Defence, and Aerospace Industries nearby. Furthermore, the planned airport will handle the increasing traffic from nearby cities like Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Nadiad, and Anand. The vision is for it to be a top-notch airport, providing the best-in-class services and infrastructure.
Gujarat has three international airports. However, Ahmedabad is the busiest in the state, ranking seventh in the country
Dholera Airport is located to the north of the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). It is anticipated to handle additional traffic from Ahmedabad International Airport. Simultaneously, it will also serve the DSIR and nearby areas.
Dholera International Airport’s strategic location helps overcome the absence of an international airport in the Saurashtra region. Consequently, this supports the growth of Dholera as a Greenfield industrial smart city. It benefits the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing sectors. Additionally, it will significantly boost travel and tourism in Gujarat.
The Dholera International Airport project aims to fulfill the logistical needs of the upcoming Dholera SIR. Additionally, it will handle extra traffic from the existing Ahmedabad Airport in the future. Consequently, this project is expected to boost economic growth in the entire region. Likewise, it aligns with the airport-led growth observed in other places worldwide. Furthermore, this International Airport will play a vital role in the years ahead. It will contribute significantly to improving the entire Aerospace Ecosystem in the state of Gujarat.
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