India is experiencing a surge in economic activity, and the need for strategically positioned business hubs has never been greater. At the forefront of this transformation is Dholera Smart City, a key node within the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Designed with global standards in mind, Dholera is not just a smart city—it’s a business haven.

From its cutting-edge infrastructure to its investor-friendly policies, Dholera is quickly becoming the go-to destination for industries, entrepreneurs, and global corporations.

Unparalleled Infrastructure

Dholera is also the first city in India to run all underground utilities as part of its design. Gas pipes, power cables, drinkable water systems, sewage systems and stormwater drains are already pre-planned to serve growth for decades. By establishing this groundwork, any potential interruptions are mitigated while maintaining an unobtrusive transition throughout the city.

Globally, several cities have adopted similar forward-thinking infrastructure strategies. For instance, Helsinki, Finland, has developed an extensive underground network that includes shopping centers, swimming pools, and data centers, all designed to optimize surface space and enhance urban living. Similarly, Montreal, Canada, boasts the “Réso,” one of the world’s largest underground complexes, spanning over 33 kilometers of tunnels that house shopping malls, hotels, and metro stations, providing residents with a weather-protected environment year-round.

In the Middle East, Dubai’s Urban Master Plan emphasizes sustainable development with a focus on integrated infrastructure systems. The city has invested heavily in subterranean utilities and transportation networks to support its rapid growth while preserving surface aesthetics.

Dholera’s commitment to such comprehensive planning is evident in its scale and vision. Spanning approximately 920 square kilometers, with 422 square kilometers designated for urban development, it is poised to be larger than Ahmedabad. The city aims to accommodate a population of two million and create employment opportunities for over 800,000 individuals by 2042. Additionally, Dholera’s Plug and Play facilities, featuring pre-installed utilities and ICT-enabled systems, enable businesses to commence operations swiftly, reducing setup costs and time, thereby positioning it as an ideal destination for enterprises seeking efficient and timely establishment.

Ease of Doing Business

Dholera Smart City is designed to be an ease-of-doing-business hub, with a Single-Window Clearance System that significantly reduces bureaucratic delays and fast-tracks approvals for businesses. This system eliminates the need for multiple approvals from different departments, allowing entrepreneurs to complete all necessary permissions in one go—saving both time and effort.

How Single-Window Clearance Works

Instead of dealing with overlapping regulations and paperwork, businesses can use a centralized digital portal to get approvals for land acquisition, environmental clearances, utility connections, and construction permits. This process minimizes unnecessary delays, ensuring businesses can kickstart operations in record time.

Global Examples of Single-Window Systems

Many progressive economies have adopted similar business-friendly models:

• Singapore ranks among the top countries for ease of doing business due to its Online Business Licensing System (OBLS), which allows approvals within 24 hours.
• Dubai’s Smart City Initiative provides a 100% digital application process, reducing approval times from weeks to just a few days.
• South Korea introduced a paperless e-government system, cutting down business registration time from 17 days to just 4 hours.

Dholera’s Business-Friendly Governance Model

• Dholera follows a similar path, making it a prime investment hub:
  Land Allotment in 15 Days – Compared to traditional cities, where land acquisition can take months.
• 100% Paperless Approvals – All business-related permissions can be processed online.
• Environmental Clearances in Record Time – The government has pre-approved several industrial zones to expedite approvals.
• Plug & Play Infrastructure – Businesses can set up with ready-to-use utilities, avoiding long setup periods.
• Investor-Friendly Policies – The Special Investment Region (SIR) Act ensures smooth industrial and commercial development.

With these business-friendly policies, Dholera is emerging as India’s first truly smart industrial city, offering global-standard efficiency, reduced red tape, and a future-ready ecosystem for businesses to thrive. 

Strategic Connectivity

For any business, location and connectivity play a crucial role in determining long-term success. Dholera Smart City excels on both fronts, offering world-class infrastructure that ensures seamless movement of people, goods, and services. Its multi-modal connectivity, including expressways, an international airport, a dedicated freight corridor, and proximity to major ports, positions Dholera as a strategic industrial and commercial powerhouse.

Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway: Faster Road Connectivity

• A six-lane expressway spanning 109 km, this high-speed corridor connects Dholera to Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s financial hub.
• Travel time will be reduced from 2.5 hours to under 1 hour, making business travel and logistics more efficient.
• Construction is progressing rapidly, with completion expected by 2025, aligning with Dholera’s development timeline.
  

Dholera International Airport: A Global Transit Hub

• Spread over 1,427 hectares, Dholera International Airport is being developed as a major passenger and cargo airport to decongest Ahmedabad Airport.
• The airport will support both international and domestic trade, enabling faster supply chain operations.
• Designed to handle 50 million passengers annually, ensuring robust air connectivity for investors, businesses, and tourism.
• Strategic importance: The airport will connect Dholera to global business hubs, boosting foreign direct investment (FDI).

Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC): Revolutionizing Cargo Movement

• Dholera is directly linked to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), a massive railway infrastructure project connecting Delhi to Mumbai via Gujarat.
• Benefit: Industries in Dholera will enjoy faster cargo movement at 40% lower transportation costs, giving them a competitive edge.
• Seamless industrial supply chains: Dholera-based businesses can transport raw materials and finished goods efficiently across India and to export markets.

Proximity to Major Ports: Enhancing Global Trade

Dholera’s location ensures quick access to Gujarat’s key ports:

• Mundra Port (150 km away) – India’s largest private port, handling 144 million tonnes of cargo annually.
• Kandla Port (180 km away) – A major hub for oil, gas, and general cargo exports.
• Pipavav Port (200 km away) – A critical port for containerized cargo and automobile exports.
   

With its unmatched connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and government-backed incentives, Dholera is poised to become India’s next big industrial and commercial hub—a future-ready city that empowers businesses to grow, expand, and succeed globally. 

Sectoral Opportunities

Dholera Smart City is positioned as a leading industrial hub, supported by government policies, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and financial incentives. Key sectors benefiting from Dholera’s strategic advantages include semiconductors, logistics, and IT.

Semiconductors: India’s Next Silicon Valley

• Government Investment: The Indian government has allocated $10 billion under the Semiconductor Mission to boost chip manufacturing.
• Mega Semiconductor Park: Dholera has been approved for a semiconductor fabrication (fab) plant, positioning it as a key player in India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
• PLI Scheme: The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme offers financial support of up to 50% of project costs for semiconductor firms setting up in India.
• Strategic Location: Proximity to ports, expressways, and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) ensures seamless raw material supply and export connectivity.
• Plug-and-Play Infrastructure: Pre-installed utilities and ICT-enabled facilities support high-tech manufacturing, reducing setup time and costs.

Logistics and Warehousing: A Supply Chain Hub

• Proximity to Ports: Dholera’s location near major ports enables faster and cost-effective export and import operations.
• Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC): Direct access to the 1,500 km Western DFC ensures high-speed cargo movement with lower logistics costs.
• Multi-Modal Connectivity: The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, upcoming Dholera International Airport, and rail connectivity provide seamless transport options.
• Warehousing and Cold Storage Facilities: Dholera offers large-scale industrial and warehousing zones, ideal for logistics and e-commerce businesses.

IT and Innovation: A Smart City for Tech Growth

• ICT-Enabled Infrastructure: Dholera features fiber-optic connectivity, smart grids, and AI-driven traffic management, making it an ideal location for IT firms and startups.
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ): Businesses benefit from tax exemptions, simplified compliance, and duty-free imports, fostering a startup-friendly environment.
• Data Centers and Cloud Computing: The government is promoting data center parks, offering incentives for IT companies investing in cloud and AI technologies.
• Startup Ecosystem: Policies supporting venture capital funding, incubation centers, and research & development hubs encourage innovation.

Dholera’s combination of progressive policies, advanced infrastructure, and connectivity advantages makes it a prime destination for industries looking to scale in a future-ready smart city.

Government Incentives

Dholera’s investor-friendly policies further enhance its appeal. Businesses benefit from:

• Subsidized land rates.
• Tax incentives.
• Fast-track approvals.
  These measures make setting up operations in Dholera not only cost-effective but also hassle-free.

Live, Work, and Play

Dholera is not just a business destination—it’s a holistic urban ecosystem. The city promotes a “live, work, and play” philosophy by integrating residential zones, green spaces, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. Recreational zones, cultural hubs, and parks ensure residents enjoy a high quality of life.

Why Invest Now?

Investing in a city during its early stages often leads to exponential returns. Dholera presents a golden opportunity for investors, with real estate and infrastructure poised for significant appreciation. Its business-friendly environment, combined with its strategic location, ensures long-term stability and growth for industries.

Conclusion

Dholera Smart City represents the future of business in India. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and investor-friendly policies, it is poised to become a global economic hub. For businesses and investors, the time to be part of Dholera’s growth story is now.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my personal opinions, formed through extensive research and global experience. I encourage you to perform your own due diligence and independent research to form your own conclusions regarding Dholera’s strategic importance and investment potential.  
Rupinder Singh, Founder & Chairman – SmartHomes Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.