Dholera has become one of India’s most ambitious development stories—a place where history meets innovation, and where a new model of urban growth is taking shape. While the name “dholera smart city” is associated with futuristic planning today, its roots go far deeper. Understanding its evolution helps us appreciate why this region is now viewed as a global investment destination and a symbol of India’s next-generation infrastructure vision.
An Overview of Dholera’s History: From Old Port Town to the First Greenfield Smart City in India
In the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, Dholera was formerly a thriving ancient port town that dates back thousands of years. Dholera was a part of the Harappan and later Mauryan trade routes, according to historical references. Due to its proximity to the coast, it served as a center for early settlements, trade, and culture.
However, over centuries, the region transformed into rural land with scattered villages and limited development. The turning point arrived when the Government of India launched the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)—a massive infrastructure programme aimed at building industrial hubs, logistics clusters, and smart cities. Dholera was selected as the largest greenfield smart city under this initiative.
This means that the most cutting-edge planning, technology, and infrastructure models in the world are being used to build the city from the ground up on empty land. Dholera is currently gaining recognition on a global scale for sustainable living, industrial investment, and smart development.
What Makes Dholera the Flagship of India’s Smart City Mission?
The fact that Dholera Smart City is not a retrofitted project makes it unique. Town planning zones occupy 422 square kilometers of the vast 920 square kilometers that it is planned on. Due to its size, it is comparable to entire regions like Singapore and larger than many global cities.
Important Elements of Dholera’s Flagship Model
- Largest smart city planned under DMIC (Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor)
- Designed using global benchmarks for utilities, safety, and infrastructure
- Fully enabled with ICT (Information and Communication Technology), sensors, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)systems, and real-time monitoring
- First city in India designed as a “Plug-and-Play” industrial hub
- Supported by the government through a Special Purpose Vehicle (Dholera Industrial City Development Limited – DICDL), which ensures transparent and smooth development.
Dholera is developing into a high-impact economic zone for manufacturing, aviation, clean energy, logistics, and new-age industries thanks to its strong governance, cutting-edge technology, and advantageous location.
Benchmarking World-Class Infrastructure for Dholera SIR
The fact that Dholera SIR’s infrastructure is based on some of the top cities in the world is one of its main advantages. The goal is to make the area sustainable, efficient, and competitive on a global scale.
According to the benchmarking insights in the official presentations, Dholera’s planning draws inspiration from:
- Singapore – Water management, waste water systems
- London, New York – Road design, urban mobility
- Brussels, Songdo – Solid waste and stormwater solutions
- Canada & Denmark – Power and ICT systems
- Chicago, Milton Keynes – Urban planning strategies
What This Means for Dholera
- Roads are designed for future expansions
- Utilities like power, gas, water, ICT are placed underground
- Wastewater is recycled up to 100%
- Stormwater systems prevent flooding
- Planning supports scalability for the next 50 years
This world-class vision ensures that Dholera Smart City will remain relevant, functional, and competitive for decades to come.
Smart Infrastructure: The Backbone of a Future-Ready City
The goal of Dholera’s smart infrastructure is to build an efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly city, not just digital tools. Because it is based on a plug-and-play model, industries can begin operations right away without having to wait for the setup of basic infrastructure.
Highlights of Smart Infrastructure
- 100% underground utilities for power, ICT, gas, water
- Smart meters for water and electricity
- SCADA-controlled utility management
- LED smart street lighting
- Dedicated cycle tracks and pedestrian zones
- Tree-lined roads with wide footpaths
- Dig-free infrastructure for future upgrades
Why This Matters
These systems guarantee continuous services for businesses and citizens while lowering operating costs and increasing efficiency. Dholera is positioned as a global model for sustainable and technologically advanced smart cities thanks to this degree of clever planning.
Smart City, Smart Life: A Wide Sensor Network Enabling Real-Time Living
A major differentiator of dholera smart city is its large-scale integration of sensors. These are embedded across public services and utility systems to monitor, control, and optimize city operations.
How Sensors Transform Everyday Life
- Traffic Monitoring: Real-time control of signals to minimise congestion
- Security Surveillance: AI-powered CCTV network for safer communities
- Environmental Sensors: Air quality, water levels, noise monitoring
- Utility Sensors: Smart meters help prevent wastage and leakage
- Emergency Response: Faster detection and action during accidents or disasters
Benefits for Residents and Businesses
- More safety, lower crime
- Transparent billing
- Better public health monitoring
- Efficient energy usage
- Improved traffic flow
Dholera is not only a smart city but also an intelligent, responsive, and people-centered one thanks to the sensor-driven ecosystem.
ABCD Building: The Main Features of Single Window Clearance
The Administrative & Business Center for Dholera, or ABCD Building, serves as the region’s functional brain. It is designed to guarantee smooth governance, investor support, and real-time city system monitoring.
Key Highlights of ABCD Building
- Centralised command and control facility
- Single Window Clearance System for investors
- Integrated City Operations Center
- Monitoring of water, power, ICT, and traffic systems
- Offices for government authorities, industry support teams, and planning units
Why This Matters
- Faster approvals for businesses
- Reduced paperwork and administrative delays
- Transparent governance
- Real-time decision-making for city management
This is one of the strongest reasons why investors, manufacturing companies, and global industries prefer Dholera over traditional cities.
Role of AI in Dholera Smart City and Dholera SIR
Dholera’s operations and planning heavily incorporate artificial intelligence. AI guarantees increased productivity, more robust security, and smooth city operations.
Applications of AI in Dholera
1. AI in City Management
- Predictive analytics for power and water usage
- Automated monitoring of underground utilities
- AI-based systems to detect leakages and faults
2. AI in Mobility & Transport
- Real-time traffic adjustments
- Intelligent transport systems
- Automated surveillance for road safety
3. AI in Safety & Law Enforcement
- Smart CCTV networks
- Facial recognition for high-security zones
- Quick incident detection
4. AI for Industries
- Robotics and automation-friendly infrastructure
- Smart logistics and supply chain optimisation
- Enhancing manufacturing productivity
AI allows Dholera to function with unmatched efficiency, making it one of the smartest urban and industrial regions in India.
Social Infrastructure: Building a City for People, Not Just Industries
Only when a city promotes its citizens’ general well-being is it considered complete. The social infrastructure of Dholera Smart City guarantees both rapid economic growth and a high standard of living for its citizens.
Planned Social Infrastructure Includes
- Schools and skill development centres
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Residential neighbourhoods
- Recreational parks and green zones
- Community centres and cultural hubs
- Public transport networks
Why Social Infrastructure Matters
- It creates a balanced environment for families
- Attracts skilled professionals
- Enhances long-term city sustainability
- Supports a thriving and diverse population
Dholera aims to become a modern, inclusive, and livable city where both economic and social development grow together.
Conclusion: Dholera—A Blueprint for India’s Urban Future
Dholera Smart City is not just another infrastructure project. It is a bold vision for the future—a city built with world-class standards, global benchmarking, advanced technology, and long-term sustainability in mind.
With its:
- Smart infrastructure
- AI-enabled systems
- Global benchmarking
- Single-window clearance
- Social infrastructure
- Massive industrial potential
Dholera is shaping into India’s most future-ready smart city.
Dholera will continue to draw international businesses, entrepreneurs, tech firms, and investors who wish to join India’s next major growth wave as development advances. The city is a symbol of what India can accomplish when creativity, forethought, and perseverance are combined.
