The master plan of Dholera Smart City is a long term development plan to build a new industrial and residential city from scratch with proper roads, drainage, power, and job zones. It is designed to grow in phases, not all at once, and focuses first on a planned area called the Activation Area.
1. Basic Vision of the Project
- Dholera Smart City is part of the larger Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which aims to create big industrial hubs between Delhi and Mumbai.
- It is located near the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
- The goal is simple. Create a city that is clean, organized, job focused, and future ready.
When I first studied the layout documents, what stood out was the clarity. Unlike many cities that grow randomly, this one is being planned on paper before buildings come up.
2. Total Area and Phases
- The total planned area is around 920 square kilometers.
- But development is happening in phases.
- Phase 1 covers about 22.5 square kilometers. This is called the Activation Area.
This phased approach is important. Many investors think the entire 920 square kilometers will develop quickly. That is not realistic. It will take many years. Maybe decades.
3. Land Use Planning
The master plan divides land into clear zones.
- Residential zones for housing
- Commercial zones for offices and markets
- Industrial zones for factories and warehouses
- Public and semi public areas for schools and hospitals
- Green and open spaces
I have seen many layout maps. What makes Dholera different is the wide road grid. The city is designed in blocks. Roads are wide. Utilities are underground. That reduces future digging and chaos.
4. Infrastructure Planning
The city is planned with modern infrastructure from day one.
- Underground electricity cables
- Smart water supply system
- Storm water drainage system
- Sewage treatment plants
- ICT based monitoring systems
There is also a planned 6 lane expressway connecting Ahmedabad to Dholera. The upcoming international airport nearby is expected to boost connectivity.
Infrastructure is the backbone. Without roads and drainage, no smart city works. The planners seem to understand this clearly.
5. Industrial Focus
Dholera is not only a residential township.
- It is mainly designed as an industrial manufacturing hub.
- Special zones are planned for heavy engineering, electronics, defense manufacturing, and renewable energy.
- The city has been given Special Investment Region status under the Dholera Special Investment Region Act.
From my analysis, job creation is the core idea. Residential growth will follow jobs. Not the other way around.
6. Transit Oriented Development
- The master plan includes a proposed metro rail connection.
- Bus Rapid Transit systems are also part of the blueprint.
- Wide internal roads support smooth traffic flow.
The aim is to reduce future traffic problems that cities like Mumbai and Delhi face today.
7. Flood Management and Environmental Planning
Dholera is near coastal land. So flood control is very important.
- The master plan includes elevated land development in key zones.
- A detailed storm water network is designed.
- Large green buffer zones are planned.
This part is often ignored in marketing brochures, but it matters a lot.
