Dholera SIR: PM Narendra Modi's Dream Smart City Project

Dholera SIR is India’s first greenfield smart city being developed in the heart of Gujarat, across the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). This greenfield smart city is PM Narendra Modi’s dream project, equipped with top civic amenities, one-stop governance, mega infrastructure, IoT-enabled security systems, multi-modal connectivity, and so many more future-first systems.

This project was visualized back when Mr. Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. With government support, the Dholera region has received massive public and private funding. Many landmarks have been planned in this project, like Asia’s largest solar power park and India’s first TATA semiconductor fabrication plant. Dholera Smart City receives regular private attention from the government through aerial surveys and review meetings.

Today, the Dholera Smart City project stands as a milestone in India’s vision. It will be home to India’s top industrial and commercial hub, supported with intense connectivity to facilitate domestic and international trade.

This article takes a 360-degree look at Dholera Special Investment Region - the planning & vision, development so far, and next steps of action. The analysis also reveals whether the Dholera Smart City project is a good investment option or not, and why so.

The Birth of PM Modi's Visionary Smart City

The Dholera Special Investment Region project was announced in 2013 by Mr. Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat. When Mr. Modi became India’s Prime Minister, he provided more support from the Central Government. The state and centre joined hands to boost the region’s development.

1. The region’s positioning along the Mumbai-Delhi Industrial Corridor ensures countrywide logistics connectivity. It is just 109 kilometres from the state capital, Ahmedabad.
2. Its multi-modal seamless connectivity - roads and metro for local, railway trains and highways for domestic, and seaport and airport for international connectivity.
3. One of the country’s largest manufacturing, technology, and innovation hubs.
4. A one-stop governance app has been developed specially for the region.
5. Dedicated residential, commercial, and industrial zones have been developed.
6. Giants like TATA Chemicals, Vedanta, ReNew Power, Hindustan Petroleum, Torrent Power, Mahindra Lifespace, Reliance Industries & many more have already invested in Dholera SIR.

Understanding the Massive Scale of Dholera Smart City

• Total area: 920 square kilometres
• India’s first greenfield smart city
• Developable area: nearly 567.39 square kilometres
• Activation area Dholera
• Six town planning schemes
• Usage-wise zoning strategy
• Divided into different zones - residential, industrial, commercial, logistics, and green spaces.
• Smaller IT and recreational zones
• Dholera Residential plots’ zones have all basic amenities and utilities
• Village integration - villages like Dholera being protected with buffer zones
• Plug-and-play infrastructure in Industrial zones for easy setup for companies
• From paperwork and sanctions to basic utilities and tech support, Dholera has it all ready
• Execution by the Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL)
• Dholera Smart City completion date is expected within a decade

The opportunities that Dholera Gujarat offers are among the top in the country today, be it residential, commercial, or industrial. It will contribute Rs. 1 lakh rupees to Gujarat’s GDP, once complete, a considerable boost to India’s economy.

World-Class Infrastructure Transforming Dholera

A lot of things make a city a ‘smart’ city, and a massive role is played here by the infrastructure. What’s transforming Dholera into a smart city is the world-class infrastructure that’s being built in and around Dholera Gujarat.

• Dholera International Airport - Dholera Airport will be one of India’s biggest airports, handling up to 50 million passengers yearly. It is also a customs airport, one that will give it an economic boost, especially in international trade.
• Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway - A special 109 km expressway connects Dholera Smart City to Ahmedabad, reducing the travel time to merely from 2 hours to merely 50 minutes. It also connects the Dholera Airport to the Dholera Smart City.
• Metro Rail & Railway Connectivity - Intracity metro lines have been planned in Dholera SIR for easy access. Railway lines will connect Dholera to many Indian cities. Dholera Railway Station will be a turning point in Dholera’s intercity connectivity.
• Utilities Infrastructure - All utilities, like water, electricity, waste management, etc., have been planned underground for smooth daily modern living. IoT-enabled CCTV security systems and citywide wi-fi are also in the plan, making it the top choice for new-age investors who prefer smart living.
• Smart Infrastructure, Technology, Development - Smart monitoring systems, AI-integrated power and traffic management, ICT-enabled infrastructure, flood management system, central command building (Dholera ABCD Building) are only some of the tech-first infrastructure being built in Dholera.

With continuous development and unparalleled growth over time, Dholera is expected to lead the industrial scene of the country.

Dholera: India's Emerging Industrial & Semiconductor Hub

There are many Indian as well as international giants who have shown faith in Dholera’s vision. Maximum Dholera Smart City investment has been seen in the industrial, IT, and renewable energy sectors.

• TATA Electronics Semiconductor Manufacturing - TATA Electronics is building India’s first semiconductor fabrication plant that would have the capacity to manufacture up to 50,000 wafers per month. This is a Rs. 91,000 Crore project.
• Mahindra Lifespace - Mahindra Group is planning to develop residential and industrial zones in Dholera.Their focus is on creating sustainable and technology-driven spaces that align with the city’s smart vision.
• L&T (Larsen & Toubro) - L&T is leading Dholera infrastructure development, including roads, utilities, and smart city solutions. Their expertise in engineering and construction will ensure that the city’s framework matches international standards.
• Tsingshan Holding Group - Tsingshan Holding Group is developing a Rs. 21,000 Crore steel and EV battery plant in Dholera. The focus is on growing the electric vehicle industry and enhancing steel production capabilities.
• Many others have invested in Dholera, including Adani Group for port development, Reliance Group for the energy sector, Hindustan Petroleum for energy resources, Polycab for electrical and cable infrastructure, and Torrent Power for power distribution.

Renewable energy and sustainability are at the core of developing Dholera green city. Companies who align with this mission are heavily investing in Dholera.

• TATA Power Solar Park - TATA is developing a Rs. 4,000 Crore Dholera solar park with a capacity of 5000 MW, making it the largest in Asia. The plant will supply energy in and around Dholera SIR.
• ReNew Power’s Renewable Energy Plant - ReNew Power is planning to set up a solar cell manufacturing plant to produce 2.5 GW solar cells and 2.4 GW modules; a game-changer in building a green energy ecosystem.
• Grew Energy - Grew Energy will support clean energy supply chains and strengthen sustainable development objectives.

Smart City Dholera Development Status in 2026

Completed:

• ABCD Building
• Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Integration
• Zone-wise Planning & Demarcation
• Sewage Treatment Plant
• Solar Park (1300 MW operational)
• Road Networks & Utility Corridors in Activation Area
• TATA Semiconductor Plant Foundation

Completions in 2026:

• Dholera International Airport Phase 1
• Railway Connectivity
• Dholera-Ahmedabad Expressway
• Hospitals & Schools

Future Plans:

• Dholera Airport Phase 2
• Metro Lines
• Dedicated Freight Corridor
• IT & Knowledge Zones
• Recreational Facilities
• Large-scale Residential Zones

Why Invest in Dholera? ROI and Growth Potential

Keeping in mind its immense potential, over ₹1 Lakh Crore has already been invested here by leading companies and individual investors.

• Current plot prices vary between Rs. 10,000 and 15,000 per square yard. Entry-level plots start at Rs. 10-20 lakhs.
• With Dholera SIR property rates tripling between November 2022 and March 2024, the next decade’s appreciation is estimated to cross 5X returns. This highlights how early investments in this region are giving the highest returns.
• On average, investors expect steady 30-35% annual returns on their Dholera land investments. Highest returns on residential investments are expected in the next 15 years.
• Dholera investment is solid due to the government-backed security. Proximity to high-functioning cities like GIFT & Ahmedabad is expected to create thousands of jobs, uplifting the region’s economy.

So, it’s a no-brainer that Dholera SIR is a top investment spot in the country today, but the real game lies in choosing the right consultant while investing in Dholera for maximum returns. BookMyAssets is one of smart city Dholera’s top real estate consultants, known for their end-to-end guidance, transparent deals, verified plots, and full resale and buyback support.

If you want to explore & book high-yielding verified plots in Dholera’s top regions, contact BookMyAssets.

Conclusion: The Future of Urban India Begins at Dholera

We can already see that Dholera Smart City is no longer just a dream; it’s shaping into reality. With such a modern approach, planning, and amenities, Dholera Smart City will set an example for all new Indian smart cities. Being a pioneer of such a city, Gujarat is expected to lead India in moving towards a better tomorrow. To become a part of India’s tomorrow, invest in Dholera today.