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AHMEDABAD:  Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), located near Ahmedabad, is witnessing strong interest from companies under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, as the region advances its goal to become the country’s first greenfield industrial smart city.

Developed by Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL) under the Gujarat government, DSIR spans 922 sq km, with 422 sq km allocated for industrial and commercial use while maintaining 15-20% green belt areas. The remaining 340 sq km falls under the coastal regulation zone.

Infrastructure work in two of the planned 23 town planning schemes is complete, including internal roads, canal networks, and a 20 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP). The Administrative Cum Business Centre of Dholera (ABCD Building) is operational, providing business and exhibition facilities to support industrial activities.

Companies in sectors like electric vehicles, solar panel manufacturing, defence, advanced agro-processing, and data centers are being encouraged to invest. Tata Power has already set up a 300 MW solar project, while Tata Chemicals and Torrent Power have also established operations in the region.

Dholera’s development plans include excellent connectivity through highways, metro, rail, and the upcoming Dholera International Airport, which is targeted to be operational by 2025-26. The airport project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, is estimated to cost around Rs 1,305 crore.

The state government also plans a logistics park near Bhimnath Railway Station, which will connect to DSIR with a 35 km rail link. Located approximately 110 km from Ahmedabad and positioned along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Dedicated Freight Corridor, DSIR is strategically placed to attract large-scale industries, with the goal of supporting a residential population of 2 million and generating over 800,000 jobs by 2040.

Despite event cancellations like the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in DSIR remains high, with over Rs 3,000 crore already invested in developing its infrastructure to facilitate industrial growth in Gujarat.