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GANDHINAGAR: As part of Dholera Special Investment Region’s (DSIR) environmental planning process, a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was published highlighting the region’s flood vulnerability and hydrological behavior. The study, commissioned by state agencies, evaluates the terrain’s flat topography and susceptibility to flooding from both seasonal monsoons and tidal surges due to proximity to the Gulf of Khambhat.

According to the findings, much of Dholera lies in low-lying floodplains, lacking natural elevation gradients to disperse stormwater effectively. This has historically posed challenges during high rainfall events. The report emphasized the need for engineered solutions to mitigate waterlogging and long-term flood risks in residential, industrial, and transport corridors planned for development.

Key recommendations include:

• Canalization of tributary systems for controlled discharge
  
   
• Construction of protective bunds along vulnerable boundaries
  
   
• Development of green buffer zones for water retention and ecosystem stability
  
   
• Integration of stormwater channels into urban layouts for runoff management
  
   

These proposals aim to balance development with ecological resilience. The hydrological model presented in the report serves as the scientific foundation for designing future flood-control infrastructure, especially in the Activation Area and along expressway alignments.

This report marks a pivotal moment in ensuring that smart city planning in Dholera accounts for climate resilience, making infrastructure sustainable and disaster-prepared from the start. Its insights are now embedded into the planning of drainage, underpasses, and canal systems across the DSIR region.