India is fast undergoing a radical transformation concerning urban development, which is quite crucial to accommodate its burgeoning population and emergent aspirations of turning out as an economic power globally.
It is here that the concept of a ‘Smart City’ goes on to assume prime importance, wherein the Dholera Smart City goes ahead to emerge as perhaps the most ambitious and pioneering project in the country.
Situated in the western state of Gujarat, Dholera Smart City is poised to become India’s first greenfield smart city. It will be created from scratch, integrating state-of-the-art technology with sustainability and future-proof infrastructure. In this blog, we look at the rise of Dholera Smart City, its vision, progress, and how it may reshape the future of urban development in India.
The Vision Behind Dholera Smart City
Dholera Smart City is not just one more development in a city; rather, it forms part of the big development being envisaged to transform India into a global hub of innovation, technology, and sustainable growth. Envisaged as a part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Dholera is strategically located to act as a critical node in the industrial and economic development of the country.
The building blocks of Dholera Smart City are six key principles:
Sustainability: Dholera shall be an eco-friendly city, with due consideration to renewable energy, water policing, and green areas.
Smart Infrastructure: The city shall pride in modern infrastructure relating to smart grids, integrated transport systems, and high-speed connectivity.
Economic Growth: Dholera is set to impress world investors by availing world-class business infrastructure and opportunities for industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and technology. This would, in itself, ensure inclusive development: housing, education, and health for all sections of society.
Governance and Services: Embracing the vision of e-governance, the city would harness technology to ease the processes of administration and public service delivery.
Adaptability: Dholera would be designed to be adaptable to future technologies and newer social needs.
Lying beneath the Dholera Smart City vision is a development that meets the current needs of its citizens and their future demands through a leap into adaptive response, making it exemplary for urban development within and outside India.
Location and Strategic Importance
It is about 100 km southwest of Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat. The proximity to major cities such as Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar, and access to big transport networks like DMIC and the upcoming Dholera International Airport, make it an attractive location to its residents and businesses alike.
What differentiates Dholera Smart City, however, is its strategic location along the DMIC corridor. DMIC is a mega-infrastructure project designed to provide a high-speed transportation corridor between Delhi and Mumbai and to connect goods and services throughout the region. Part of this corridor, Dholera assumes prime importance as an industrial and logistics hub, thereby increasing its desirability among global investors.
Additionally, Dholera’s coastal location holds great potential to emerge as a major port city, supplementing its importance as a trade and industrial centre. So, with these many strategic advantages, Dholera indeed seems to be well on course to become an important node in the economic growth story of India.
Phased Development of Dholera Smart City
Dholera Smart City is developed in a phase-wise manner. Each phase has addressed different aspects of infrastructure and services to be provided within the city. A structured approach like this shall facilitate the growth of the city in an almost sustainable and better-planned manner, taking into consideration enhancement and adaptation to emerging technologies and new challenges.
Phase 1: The Activation Area
The development has been focused on an Activation Area of 22.5 square kilometres, which would provide the basic building blocks in terms of core infrastructure for further growth of the city through roads, water supply systems, sewage treatment plants, and power grids. It was also intended to serve as a proof of concept or demonstration of what the entire project will achieve as a whole in attracting businesses and residents to Dholera Smart City.
Key components of the Activation Area will include:
Integrated Transportation: The city will feature a wide network of roads, metro systems, and a freight corridor to ensure speedier connectivity not only within the city but also with the rest of the country.
Smart Utilities: Utility infrastructure in Dholera is designed to be very efficient with smart grids, energy-efficient street lighting, and water and electricity usage monitored in real-time.
Industrial Zones: Industrial zones shall form part of the Activation Area to act as an attraction for manufacturing and logistic companies, bringing about employment opportunities to spur economic growth in those areas.
Smart Infrastructure and Technology
At the core of Dholera Smart City’s vision is its integration of advanced technology and smart infrastructure. Unlike traditional cities, which often struggle with outdated and inefficient infrastructure, Dholera is being built with state-of-the-art facilities that enable it to function as a truly smart city.
One of the key components of Dholera’s smart infrastructure is its intelligent transport system (ITS). The city’s transportation network is being designed to incorporate a seamless mix of road, rail, and air connectivity. Additionally, the city will implement smart traffic management systems, public transportation, and walkable spaces, making it easier for residents to move around without congestion or delays. With provisions for an international airport and a port, Dholera is also being positioned as a major hub for logistics and global trade.
Dholera Smart City is also focused on harnessing the power of renewable energy. Solar power will play a crucial role in powering the city, reducing its carbon footprint and dependence on non-renewable energy sources. The city will feature a solar power park with a capacity of over 5,000 MW, making it one of the largest solar power projects in the world. This commitment to clean energy is part of Dholera’s
