Rapid urbanization, economic growth, and growing demands for smart infrastructure have acted as catalysts towards changing the urban face of India in recent times. Among all such cities that are leading from the front, Dholera Smart City in the state of Gujarat is one of them. Labelled as one of the first smart cities of India, Dholera has drawn the interest of investors, businessmen, and policymakers alike.
In this blog, we are going to cover reasons why investing in Dholera Smart City is a game-changing opportunity. We shall look into its strategic location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, supportive policies, and high/large potential for return on investment. By the end, you will know why this growing city can be a hub of huge promise for investors.
1. The Idea/Vision Behind Dholera Smart City
Dholera Smart City forms part of India’s ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor project. DMIC is a mega infrastructure project for the formation of industrial zones, employment opportunities, and boosts to economic activities along a 1,500-km stretch between Delhi and Mumbai. Dholera happens to be one of the biggest nodes in this project.
The inherent vision for Dholera is that of a world-class smart city in which technology has been deployed to deliver efficient services, sustainable infrastructure, and a high quality of life. With the latest in urban planning and design, Dholera City has been conceptualized to be a futuristic city hub for industries, residential areas, and commercial sectors. It is likely to hold more than 2 million inhabitants and generate in excess of 800,000 jobs by 2040.
This future projection has created tremendous excitement among investors about the exponential growth of the city.
2. Strategic Location and Connectivity
The reason Dholera is deemed one of the perfect destinations to invest in is because of its strategic location. It lies in the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, at an important linkage point that connects megacities such as Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Its proximity to the industrial and commercial hubs of Gujarat like Bharuch, Vadodara, and Surat adds much value.
A number of infrastructure projects further ensure connectivity for Dholera
Dholera International Airport: This is one of the biggest airports in India, which would host both domestic and international flights, improving the connectivity of the region with other countries. The airport, in such a way, would be handling cargo services, along with passenger travel, thereby increasing the attraction towards Dholera for international business ventures.
DFC: The proximity to the Delhi-Mumbai DFC will save time used up and help industries transport goods with speed and efficiency across the nation.
Expressways and Rail Networks: The city shall also get connected via expressways and a high-speed metro rail network; hence, accessing Ahmedabad, which is 100 km away, would be easy.
Strategically located, with advanced infrastructure, Dholera has become a place of prime importance for trade and business in India; hence, returns on investment are promising.
3. Government Support and Incentives
The Government of India has been proactive in providing support is available for Dholera as a smart city to make it succeed. A host of incentives and policies have been put in place to attract businesses and investors to its fold.
SIR Status: Dholera was granted the status of a Special Investment Region; this typically comes with special economic zones, tax breaks, and relaxed regulations for attracting industries, startups, and foreign investments. This SIR status will reduce both financial and regulatory burdens on business and, therefore, would make the task of operation and profitability easier.
Single Window Clearance: Investors in Dholera enjoy a seamless approval cycle with the single window clearance mechanism. A single window system assists in cutting down bureaucratic delays to a minimum for the quick acquisition of land, permits, and licenses.
Smart City Features: Dholera finds a place in the 100 Smart Cities Mission of the government to ensure access to central and state funding for the timely completion of infrastructure projects related to roads, sewage systems, water supply, and digital connectivity.
As such, the fact that Dholera Smart City is a prioritized industrial and economic hub of the government comes along with strong policy support for investors and thus with relatively lower risk in large-scale investments.
4. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
The heartbeat of the appeal of Dholera is its ultra-modern infrastructure. Since the city is being developed from scratch, planners can include all the latest technologies and innovations in every feature of the city. The city of Dholera is building a resilient infrastructure with a strategic vision toward future growth, sustainability, efficiency, and integration of technology.
A few of the highlight features of the infrastructure at Dholera are:
Smart Grid: Equipping this city with smart grids is a gradual process in order to distribute electricity effectively for the reduction of energy waste and to facilitate the continuity of power supply without any disruptions to industries or inhabitants of the city.
Digital Connectivity: These will be ensured with a digitally connected city on high-speed fibre-optic networks, communicating seamlessly with businesses, government services, and residents themselves. This will further allow the IoT to be integrated into infrastructure that enables the smart management of services such as waste collection, traffic, and public safety.
It includes a design for environmental sustainability, mostly sourcing power from solar energy. Green spaces have been incorporated into the urban landscape to purify the air and enhance the quality of life among its residents.
Public transportation in Dholera is designed for minimal carbon emission, with electric buses and shared mobility along with a bicycle lane. A utility corridor underground will house all essential services like water, gas, and electricity so that it does not interfere with the surface city.
The amount of investment in infrastructure at Dholera makes this city perfect for high-tech-dependent and efficiently logistically dependent companies. For investors interested in real estate, industries, and technology, the proposed world-class facilities will be a big bonus.
5. Growth Potential with Industries and Economy
Dholera Smart City is being projected as a major industrial node. Major industries to be housed include manufacturing, automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. The city will also house Indian and multinational corporations, increasing its economic potential.
Dholera will be home to one of the most prosperous industries: green energy. Already, Gujarat has been leading in renewable energy, which will then be followed by and carried on in Dholera with solar power plants and other renewable energy projects. A full-fledged Solar Park is part of the city and is destined to become one of the biggest in Asia.
Another up-and-coming sector is the automotive sector. The proximity of Dholera to key automotive manufacturing centers, such as Sanand-which hosts the Nano plant of Tata Motors-makes it a lucrative location for companies to set up their operations. Quite a few global car manufacturers are likely to invest in the Dholera region and give a further fillip to its industrial profile.
Besides this, Dholera will also be a really enabling platform for the birth and expansion of SMEs. The excellent infrastructure, ease of doing business, coupled with easy access to global markets, can give a boost to SMEs in various sectors such as electronics, textiles, and food processing.
All this potential for economic growth translates into immense demand for commercial and industrial real estate in the near future, thus giving high returns on investment for investors.
6. Real Estate Investment Opportunities
Dholera has opened up an entirely new avenue for real estate investment. As the city starts to take shape, there will be a rise in demand for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The real estate market in Dholera is at its infancy stage, which directly means that the rates are low compared to other established cities.
Following are some of the key real estate investment opportunities:
Residential Real Estate: There will be an increased demand for high-class residential space with more and more professionals, workers, and business owners relocating to the city. Any person who invests in land or property can expect significant appreciation with increased development within the city.
Commercial Real Estate: With more and more businesses coming to Dholera, office spaces, retail outlets, and service centres will be required. The sooner investors invest in commercial properties, the better locations they get at low prices that enable them to enjoy the fruits when demand soars.
Industrial Estate: With Dholera positioning itself as an industrial hub, the demand for land and warehouses will know no limits. The demand can be availed by the investor through the purchase of industrial plots and further leasing to companies.
With a master-planned layout and government support, the real estate market in Dholera offers a secure and profitable avenue for investment to both domestic and international investors.
7. Favorable Demographics and Quality of Life
Dholera Smart City aims to have a high quality of life amongst its denizens. All amenities shall be provided in the city infrastructure to facilitate a full-on living and pulsating urban experience. From world-class healthcare facilities and educational institutions to recreational spaces and cultural centres, Dholera is envisioned as a city to aspire to live, work, and prosper.
The population demographics, therefore, will support the growth of the city in the long term. The reason is that it is a young city; the migration of the working-age population shall drive consumption, demand for housing, and general economic activity. Further, the infusion of skilled professionals from all over the country and abroad is bound to enhance its economic dynamism.
Conclusion: Why You Should Invest in Dholera Smart City is an opportunity for a lifetime investment. With its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, huge government support, and enormous economic potential, it has become the most sought-after destination for investors from across the world in every field.
