The journey of building the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) can be described in one word: transformative. It formally began with the enactment of the Gujarat Special Investment Region (GSIR) Act in 2009, a pioneering legislative framework that enabled the planning, development and governance of large-scale industrial zones. Under this Act, Dholera was announced as the first and flagship SIR, envisioned as a Greenfield Smart City — a vision first articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Spanning over 920 sq km, DSIR is India’s largest greenfield urban development initiative. “We are creating, from the ground up, a global hub for economic activity, innovation and high-tech manufacturing,” says Dr Kuldeep Arya, IAS, Managing Director, Dholera Industrial City Development (DICDL).  “This long-term strategic endeavour demands not only meticulous planning and large-scale investment but also unwavering commitment, progressive policy support and seamless coordination across multiple levels of government.” He shares more in an interview with CW. Excerpts:  

Please tell us about the journey of DSIR.

In 2016, the formation of DICDL as an SPV – a JV between the Government of Gujarat and the Government of India – marked the beginning of the implementation phase. That same year, Dholera entered its execution stage with the commencement of infrastructure development of the ‘Activation Area’, admeasuring 22.5 sq km. By 2019, the Administrative and Business Centre for Dholera (ABCD Building) was operationalised, serving as the city's command hub and an interactive experience centre for visitors and stakeholders. The Activation Area is fully developed as well and will host India’s first commercial semiconductor fab by Tata Electronics along with its ancillary ecosystem. DSIR is rapidly emerging as a destination of choice for next-generation industries, particularly in the fields of semiconductors and advanced electronics. With world-class infrastructure, sustainable urban planning, high-quality residential offerings and a focus on liveability, Dholera is not only industrially capable but also future-ready – setting new benchmarks for planned urbanisation in India and globally.

What are some of the major projects progressing in DSIR?

Currently, the Activation Area is equipped with a road network of 72 km integrated with one of the most advanced underground utility corridors in the country. The presence of power substations, water treatment plant, common effluent treatment plant and sewage treatment plant ensures utility infrastructure readiness as well. Additionally, Dholera SIR is witnessing the implementation of several transformative projects that are poised to shape it into a globally competitive industrial and economic hub. 

• Greenfield Dholera International Airport will greatly enhance global connectivity. It’s designed to support both passenger and cargo movement, thereby attracting international businesses and boosting regional trade. The airport will be ready to handle cargo operations from Q2 FY 25-26 onwards and passenger services by early 2026.
•  A 110-km Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway will be a greenfield, four-lane, access-controlled expressway between Ahmedabad and Dholera. The current distance from Ahmedabad to Dholera is about 110 km with a travel time of 2 hr 15 minutes. With the expressway, the distance up to Dholera from SP Ring Road, Ahmedabad, will be 83 km with a travel time of 1 hour, a reduction of 50 per cent, and thereby also reduce overall travel time between Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar. 
• The Bhimnath-Dholera Freight Rail Line, a 24.4-km broad-gauge line, is currently under progress from the existing western railway station of Bhimnath on the Ahmedabad-Botad broad-gauge line that would connect DSIR to facilitate the logistic movement of industries, further integrating it into national and global supply chains. 
  

These connectivity projects are designed to make DSIR a well-integrated logistics hub, reducing transportation costs and lead times for companies while improving access to global markets. Along with providing plug-and-play trunk infrastructure to various industries, we have focused our efforts to develop world-class social infrastructure, with several facilities set to be operational in 2026. These include a 200-bed multi-speciality hospital, a 100+ room corporate hotel, an integrated school up to higher secondary level, residential and commercial complex, and fire station. A tent city with leisure and business facilities, multicuisine food court and accommodation facility for investors are also under development.

All these initiatives are not just about infrastructure – they are about creating a vibrant, self-sustaining ecosystem where industries and communities can thrive together. Dholera is being built as a holistic destination that balances economic growth with quality of life, setting a new benchmark for smart, inclusive urban development in India.

What’s the latest on the semiconductor fabrication plant at DSIR?

The plant, being developed by Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Pvt Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Electronics) in collaboration with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), is progressing steadily.  This will be India’s first state-of-the-art semiconductor fab, with an investment of ₹ 91,000 crore (approximately $ 11 billion). Once operational, it is projected to generate over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing significantly to regional employment and capacity building. The first phase of the fab will have a manufacturing capacity of up to 50,000 wafers per month. Currently, construction work is in full swing. This project is not only a major step for Gujarat and Dholera but for India’s broader ambition to become a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing.

What unique advantages does DSIR offer?

The first and foremost is the availability of large land parcels ranging up to 330 acres equipped with world-class infrastructure which caters to mega projects, offering scalability and long-term operational efficiency. At the core of this is the internal road network, with road widths ranging from 18 m to 70 m, equipped with a robust underground utility network – a first of its kind in India at this scale – which drastically reduces setup time and capital expenditure for incoming industries. Second, to support the redundant power requirements of the semiconductor fab, power supply will be ensured from two different sources, two different transmission lines and substations from two different DISCOMs. 

Robust water infrastructure with a water treatment plant along with an effluent and sewage treatment within the Activation Area is in place. For water redundancy, a desalination plant is also under feasibility study. This infrastructure ecosystem, designed for plug-and-play functionality, not only benefits industries today but also ensure DSIR's resilience and adaptability for decades to come. 

Another key advantage is seamless connectivity at DSIR, which includes a robust network of the upcoming Dholera International Airport, the under-construction Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, the Bhimnath Dholera rail freight line which will facilitate the logistics movement of industries, and a planned semi high-speed rail line from Ahmedabad along the expressway for mass passenger movement. 

Over and above, the Government’s committed efforts to position DSIR as India’s first ‘Semicon City’ further enables the development of a robust ecosystem that supports the vision of India becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse.

How are some specific technologies and practices being integrated into project execution?

Technology is fundamental to DSIR's development methodology. A City Integrated Operations Centre (CIOC) has been developed, which oversees real-time monitoring, surveillance and emergency response. This CIOC is a SCADA-enabled infrastructure that allows automated data collection, supervision and swift response across all utilities. This supports efficient delivery of utilities required by industries and the social ecosystem, while ensuring sustainability and zero resource wastage. The underground utility corridor is integrated with IoT and sensor-based systems for smart metering and leak detection. Fibreoptic networks and environmental sensors are embedded citywide to ensure intelligent city services.

What about sustainability initiatives and green projects?

DSIR is being developed with a strong commitment to sustainability, integrating green infrastructure, clean energy and smart technologies across the city. It is India’s first greenfield city to receive the IGBC Platinum Green City rating, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure planning, transport and smart land-use planning. Key initiatives for sustainability include:

• Green mobility and walk-to-work culture: The city promotes eco-friendly commuting through thoughtfully designed pedestrian walkways, dedicated cycling lanes, and reserved corridors for future rapid transit systems. These will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support healthy urban lifestyles. The integrated design of industrial and residential zones in close vicinity is aimed at encouraging walk-to-work culture.
• Green area development: All major road networks have been lined up with significant green cover. More plantation is planned in the monsoon of 2025, including dense afforestation along major roads and garden areas. Landscaping in 28 hectare of road medians is also underway.
• Renewable energy: 300 mw of solar park has been commissioned and connected to the grid.
• Efficient utility management: 100 per cent of the wastewater generated will be treated and recycled for landscaping and industrial use. Additionally, SCADA-enabled systems are deployed for real-time monitoring and optimal utilisation of utilities, enhancing operational efficiency and resource conservation.
  

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, innovation, inclusion and resilience, DSIR is emerging as a global model for urban development of the future.

Please share some upcoming investment opportunities for businesses or potential contractors and partners.

DSIR is rapidly emerging as a prime destination for investments across high-growth and strategic sectors. With the landmark Tata Electronics and PSMC semiconductor fabrication plant paving the way, Dholera is set to become a national hub for semiconductor manufacturing, display fabs, ancillary units, renewable energy and other sunrise industries. Beyond core manufacturing, Dholera offers vast opportunities in the development of shared industrial infrastructure such as skill development centres, clean rooms, testing laboratories and warehousing – all essential to support modern industrial ecosystems.

At the core of DSIR’s master planning lies an integrated smart city that caters to high-potential investment avenues for infrastructure and real-estate developers for residential housing, integrated townships, commercial zones, hospitality and recreation facilities, as well as food courts and cafeteria operations. As the city transitions from planning to rapid execution, Dholera stands ready to welcome partners committed to shaping India’s most ambitious smart industrial city.