Dholera, a small town in Gujarat, is witnessing one of India’s most ambitious urban transformation projects. What was once simple farmland is now becoming India’s first greenfield smart city. This remarkable change shows how vision, planning, and investment can transform rural areas into modern urban centers.
Before 2009, Dholera was a quiet agricultural area in Ahmedabad district. Farmers here grew cotton, wheat, and other crops on fertile land. The population was small, around 25,000 people, mostly involved in farming and small businesses.
The area had basic facilities like primary schools, a few health centers, and simple roads. Most people lived in traditional houses and followed farming practices passed down through generations. Life was peaceful but opportunities for growth were limited.
Even as farmland, Dholera had some natural advantages. It sits on the Gulf of Khambhat coast, giving it access to sea routes. The area is relatively flat, making construction easier. It’s also close to major cities like Ahmedabad (100 km) and Vadodara (150 km).
These geographic benefits made Dholera an attractive choice when the government started looking for locations to build new smart cities.
In 2009, the Gujarat government announced plans to develop Dholera as a Special Investment Region (SIR). This was part of India’s larger plan to create world-class cities that could compete globally.
The government wanted to create a city that would:
Dholera’s location made it perfect for this vision. It’s positioned between two major industrial corridors – the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. This means easy transportation of goods and materials.
The coastal location also allows for port development, making international trade easier. The availability of large empty land meant planners could design the city from scratch without displacing many people.
The Dholera Special Investment Region covers 920 square kilometers, making it larger than cities like Mumbai or Singapore. The master plan divides this huge area into different zones for residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational use.
Phase 1 covers 22.5 square kilometers and focuses on basic infrastructure development. This includes roads, water supply, electricity, and waste management systems.
The plan includes several smart city features:
Digital Infrastructure: High-speed internet connectivity throughout the city, smart traffic management systems, and digital governance services.
Sustainable Development: Solar power plants, water recycling systems, and green building standards to make the city environmentally friendly.
Modern Transportation: Wide roads, dedicated cycling lanes, and plans for metro connectivity. The upcoming bullet train will also connect Dholera to Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
Quality of Life: Parks, sports facilities, educational institutions, and healthcare centers designed with modern standards.
The most visible change in Dholera is the road infrastructure. The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, completed in phases, has reduced travel time between the cities to just one hour. This 116-kilometer expressway is a six-lane highway that handles heavy traffic efficiently.
Within Dholera, new roads follow international standards with proper drainage, street lighting, and landscaping. The road network is designed to handle future traffic growth.
One of the biggest developments is the planned Dholera International Airport. This will be Gujarat’s second international airport and is expected to handle both passenger and cargo flights.
The airport will boost Dholera’s connectivity to international markets and make it attractive for global businesses. Construction work has begun, and the airport is expected to be operational in the coming years.
Dholera is being developed as a model for sustainable city development. Large solar power plants are being set up to provide clean energy. The city aims to be carbon neutral and use renewable energy sources.
Water infrastructure includes modern treatment plants, efficient distribution systems, and rainwater harvesting. These systems ensure reliable water supply while protecting the environment.
The Dholera SIR offers several benefits to attract industries:
Several industries are setting up operations in Dholera:
Manufacturing: Automotive, textiles, chemicals, and engineering companies are establishing factories.
Information Technology: IT parks and software development centers are being developed to attract tech companies.
Logistics: Given its strategic location, logistics and warehousing companies find Dholera attractive.
Renewable Energy: Solar panel manufacturing and other clean energy businesses are growing.
These industrial developments are creating thousands of jobs. From factory workers to engineers, from service staff to managers, Dholera is becoming a major employment hub in Gujarat.
Local farmers have received compensation for their land at market rates. Many have used this money to start new businesses or invest in education for their children. Some have become contractors or suppliers for the development projects.
The government has also provided skill development programs to help farmers transition to new occupations in the growing city.
Young people from the area now have job opportunities close to home instead of migrating to other cities. Educational institutions being set up in Dholera provide better learning opportunities for local children.
Healthcare facilities have improved significantly, with modern hospitals and clinics replacing basic health centers.
The transformation hasn’t been without challenges. Some farmers initially resisted land acquisition. The government addressed these concerns through fair compensation, alternative land allocation, and job creation programs.
Infrastructure development in phases has helped manage the transition smoothly, allowing communities to adapt gradually to the changes.
As of 2025, Dholera has achieved several milestones:
The next phase includes:
From 25,000 residents in 2009, Dholera’s population is expected to reach several hundred thousand in the coming decades as more people move for work and business opportunities.
Dholera’s transformation from farmland to smart city represents India’s ambition to create world-class urban centers. This change shows how proper planning, government support, and private investment can completely transform a region.
The journey from agricultural fields to modern city infrastructure demonstrates that with vision and commitment, rural areas can become engines of economic growth. Dholera is not just changing physically but also providing new opportunities for thousands of people.
As this smart city continues to grow, it serves as a model for other similar projects across India. The story of Dholera demonstrates that transformation is achievable when all stakeholders collaborate toward a shared vision of progress and development.
The complete transformation of Dholera from farmland to smart city is still ongoing, but the foundation has been laid for a bright and prosperous future.
10Jul 
by admin 
11Jul by admin 
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