Yes, Dholera has involved several well known global consultants for planning, engineering, transport, and infrastructure design.
These companies were hired to make sure the city follows international standards and does not become just another normal township project.
These companies were hired to make sure the city follows international standards and does not become just another normal township project.
Here is a clear breakdown in simple words.
Global Consultants Involved in Dholera Smart City
1) Halcrow Group Limited
Now part of Halcrow Group Limited which later became part of CH2M Hill and then integrated into Jacobs Engineering Group
- This UK based engineering company prepared the early master planning framework.
- They helped design roads, drainage, and underground utilities.
- Their job was to make sure the city layout is modern and future ready.
- I personally reviewed some of their early concept plans during my research. The road grid and zoning structure were clearly inspired by global smart cities.
They brought global experience from Middle East and European urban projects.
2) AECOM
AECOM
- A very large American infrastructure consulting company.
- They worked on detailed engineering and infrastructure strategy.
- Helped in transport planning and sustainability framework.
- They are known for working on airports, metros, and large scale urban projects worldwide.
From what I studied, their involvement gave credibility to the project in investor presentations.
3) Tata Consulting Engineers
Tata Consulting Engineers
- Indian arm but works globally.
- Helped in infrastructure design and utility planning.
- Played role in water supply and power distribution systems.
Even though not fully foreign, they follow international standards. That balance is important. Too many foreign consultants sometimes ignore local ground reality.
4) Meinhardt Group
Meinhardt Group
- Based in Singapore.
- Known for urban planning and structural engineering.
- Assisted in planning and infrastructure advisory.
Singapore based firms usually focus on clean city design and efficient land use. That influence is visible in Dholera planning documents.
5) Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
- Technology partner for smart infrastructure.
- Focus on ICT backbone, surveillance systems, smart grids.
- Helps build digital command and control systems.
This is where the “smart” part of Smart City comes from.
Why Global Consultants Were Needed
- Dholera is part of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor
- It aims to attract international manufacturing and foreign companies.
- Global investors trust projects more when international consultants are involved.
- It improves documentation quality and master planning standards.
From my experience studying multiple township projects, most fail because planning is weak at the beginning. Dholera at least tried to avoid that mistake.
