No, Dholera is not officially part of the Smart Cities Mission. It is being developed under a completely different national program, even though many people confuse the two.
I have studied Dholera for a few years now as a real estate analyst. And honestly, this confusion comes up again and again.
Let me explain it in very simple words.
What Is the Smart Cities Mission?
The Smart Cities Mission is a Government of India program launched in 2015. It focuses on upgrading existing cities by improving infrastructure, technology, roads, water supply, waste management, and public services.
Cities like:
- Pune
- Ahmedabad
- Surat
- Indore
were selected under this mission.
The idea was simple. Take an existing city. Improve selected areas. Make them smarter using technology and better planning.
That is the Smart Cities Mission.
It is mostly about improving what already exists.
Then What Is Dholera?
Dholera is completely different.
Dholera Special Investment Region is a greenfield project. That means it is being built from scratch. Not upgrading an old city. Not fixing broken roads. It is starting on empty land.
Dholera is part of the bigger Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor is a massive infrastructure program between Delhi and Mumbai. The goal is industrial growth, manufacturing hubs, logistics, and economic development.
So Dholera is under DMIC.
Not under Smart Cities Mission.
That is the key difference.
Why Do People Think Dholera Is a Smart City?
Because Dholera is marketed as India’s first greenfield smart city.
And technically, yes, it is being planned as a smart city.
But being a smart city does not automatically mean it is under the Smart Cities Mission.
This is where many investors get confused.
Smart Cities Mission is one government scheme.
Dholera is under a different scheme.
Both use the word smart. But they are separate.
I have personally seen property brochures where developers mix both terms. It sounds attractive. It builds hype. But as an investor, you must separate marketing language from official policy.
Who Is Developing Dholera?
Dholera is being developed by:
Dholera Industrial City Development Limited
This is a special purpose vehicle formed by the Government of India and Government of Gujarat.
It operates under the DMIC framework.
Again. Not Smart Cities Mission.
My Personal Observation After Studying It
When I first researched Dholera, I also thought it must be part of Smart Cities Mission. The branding feels similar.
But after checking official documents, government notifications, and policy structure, it became clear.
They are different programs.
And this matters.
Because funding structure, execution speed, and governance model are different.
Smart Cities Mission cities upgrade existing infrastructure.
Dholera is building new infrastructure from zero.
That changes timelines. Risk level. Investment cycle.
Very different risk profile.
