Dholera Smart City Initiative Leads to 100 Smart Cities of India

Dholera Smart City Initiative Leads to 100 Smart Cities of India

Introduction Dholera SIR, conceptualized as the first smart city of India by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, is being followed by another 100 smart cities.

Smart Cities in Gujarat Of the 98 smart cities announced by the Ministry of Urban Development, six smart cities shall be developed in Gujarat. These cities are:

• Vadodara

• Gandhinagar

• Ahmedabad

• Surat

• Rajkot

• Dahod

Along with Dholera, the count of smart cities in Gujarat accumulates to seven.

Location and Vision

• Dholera is the first Special Investment Region (SIR) being developed in India after the establishment of the SIR Act.

• It is located near Dhanduka village in the Gulf of Khambhat in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat.

• The city was envisioned as a smart city long before Mr. Modi became the Prime Minister of India.

Infrastructure and Development

• Spread across 920 Sq. Km, the city is a special node on the DMIC corridor and shall witness massive manufacturing and trading activities.

• The project is ahead of any other smart city and is the fastest developing city in India.

• The central government has sanctioned Rs. 2,784.83 crores towards the development of its trunk infrastructure components, expected to be completed by 2018-19.

Trunk Infrastructure

• The trunk infrastructure is being developed over a 22.5 square kilometer activation area.

• Components include:

  • Construction of roads

  • Water and sewage treatment plants

  • Common effluent treatment plant

  • Other essential services

• The trunk infrastructure development is expected to attract funds and investments from alternative sources.

• Balance funding requirements shall be met through the PPP model and foreign funding.

• With relaxed FDI norms, massive foreign investments can also be expected in the region.

Connectivity An excellent network is being set up to connect Dholera to local and global cities, including:

• 6-lane expressway connecting Ahmedabad and Vadodara

• High-speed metro and extended railway route

• International airport (20 kilometers from Dholera) approved by the Airport Authority of India

Enhanced connectivity shall play a vital role in developing Dholera as a global manufacturing and trading hub.

Technology and Sustainability

• Extensive usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) shall be adapted across the smart city.

• Real-time monitoring and data usage shall improve cost efficiency.

• The city shall promote green building concepts and feature large open spaces and parks to provide a healthy and sustainable environment for its residents.

Investment Opportunities

• A city of opportunities is in the making.

• The low cost of land combined with its future potential makes it a lucrative investment proposition.

• Investors can expect exponential returns.

About the Author Vijay K Wali is the Director, Operations at Smart Homes Infrastructure (P) Ltd.

About Smart Homes Infrastructure

• Smart Homes Infrastructure is a part of Smart Infrastructure Pte Ltd.

• A professionally managed young organization specializing in affordable Group Housing and Town Planning Projects in India.

• Plans to build more than 100,000 homes in the next decade.

• The team has over 200 man-years of experience in apartment development.

• Experience in selling over 80 million square feet of housing projects across India.