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DHOLERA: Gujarat’s infrastructure and planning agencies have officially withdrawn the earlier concept of developing a seaport at Dholera, marking a significant shift in the region’s infrastructure strategy. Initially considered a strategic coastal project to boost trade and maritime logistics under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the Dholera port proposal has now been sidelined after rigorous cost-benefit assessments and environmental reviews.

Planners cited multiple factors influencing the decision, including environmental challenges such as potential siltation in the Gulf of Khambhat, disruption to sensitive marine ecosystems, and the technical difficulty of ensuring all-weather port operations. Financial feasibility also played a role—anticipated high capital outlay for dredging, breakwater construction, and long-term maintenance outweighed the projected short-term returns.

As a result, the state government has redirected investment and planning efforts toward strengthening inland logistics infrastructure. Emphasis has been placed on building a robust road and rail network to improve internal connectivity. A freight rail corridor, expanded arterial road systems, and expressway links to Bhavnath Industrial Park and other DSIR nodes are now at the forefront of development efforts.

This redirection aligns with the smart-city goals of Dholera SIR, which focus on scalable, environmentally sustainable, and investor-ready infrastructure. The enhanced land logistics are expected to support rapid industrial deployment, improve supply chain efficiency, and encourage domestic and foreign investment into the region.

While the Dholera port is not permanently canceled, it has been deprioritized in favor of quicker-to-deploy infrastructure that offers broader economic benefits and supports the first phases of Dholera’s activation area and integrated township growth.