Advantage Dholera Market Focus Connectivity

Advantage Dholera

Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is set to redefine industrialization and urbanization in India, seamlessly integrating business, living, and leisure to create an economically and socially balanced city. Designed with meticulous planning and forward-thinking infrastructure, Dholera is positioned as the destination of choice for global investors.

Strategically located in Gujarat, Dholera is a key pillar of India’s industrial growth story. It is exceptionally well-connected to national and international markets, offering a robust logistics network, including a dedicated international airport, expressways, and multi-modal connectivity.

Large land parcels with Plug & Play Utility Infrastructure

Dholera provides large industrial plots with ready-to-use infrastructure, ensuring minimal setup time and faster project execution. Large land parcels cater to mega-projects, offering scalability and long-term operational efficiency. The city features a 72 km developed internal road network with dedicated underground utility corridors for power, water, gas, and communication lines.

Focus on Next-Gen Industries

Dholera is envisioned as a hub for high-tech, non-polluting industries, ensuring a clean, green, and sustainable urban ecosystem. With vast, contiguous land parcels available for large-scale manufacturing, it presents an unparalleled opportunity for industries such as semiconductors, electronics, aerospace, renewable energy, and sunrise sectors. Dholera is emerging as India’s leading semiconductor hub, offering a world-class facilities tailored for the semiconductor and ancillary ecosystem.

Multimodal Connectivity

Dholera Industrial City is being developed with multimodal connectivity infrastructure to support seamless industrial operations and global trade.

Road

A four-lane access-controlled Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera, enhancing road connectivity for businesses and commuters. Currently, Dholera is also well connected with major cities of Gujarat through NH 751, NH 47 and SH 20.

Rail

The Bhimnath-Dholera Freight Rail Line will provide a dedicated logistics corridor, ensuring efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods to major industrial hubs and ports through. The freight line through Bhimnath will directly connect with Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) at 100 km. Semi high-speed rail line is also planned from Ahmedabad along the expressway for mass passenger movement.

Air

The upcoming Dholera International Airport will serve as a key gateway for passenger and cargo movement, enabling direct global and domestic connectivity, further strengthening Dholera’s position as a high-potential investment destination. Bhavnagar Domestic Airport at 60 km and Ahmedabad International Airport at 120 km are the nearest operational airports.

Sea

Dholera is well connected through road & rail with leading ports such as Pipavav (200 km), Kandala (300 km), Mundra (350 km). Seamless access to Dahej, Hazira, and JNPT ports is also available. Additionally, Bhavnagar Port, located just 65 km away, is undergoing capacity augmentation.

Together, these projects create a robust multi-modal transport ecosystem, making Dholera an ideal hub for advanced manufacturing and trade.

Redundant Utility Supply

Dholera Industrial City is designed with a redundant utility supply system to ensure uninterrupted industrial operations. A reliable power infrastructure, backed by smart grid technology and renewable energy integration, guarantees 24/7 electricity availability. The city’s water supply system is designed with assured sources and a robust distribution network to meet industrial and domestic needs. Piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure ensures a steady and efficient fuel supply for manufacturing units. Additionally, an advanced effluent treatment system, including a zero-liquid discharge-ready setup, enables sustainable wastewater management.

Smart & Sustainable Infrastructure Planning

Dholera integrates cutting-edge smart city technologies and sustainable urban planning principles. The City Integrated Operations Center (CIOC) ensures real-time monitoring of utilities, security, and surveillance. Green urban planning and ecological infrastructure projects enhance environmental sustainability, making Dholera a future-ready industrial city.

Social Infrastructure Development to Compliment Industrialization

Dholera is not just an industrial hub but a liveable smart city with modern social amenities under implementation. A planned residential township adjacent to the industrial zone ensures a high quality of life for professionals and workers. The city planning features recreational, educational, and healthcare facilities, creating a balanced work-life environment. Smart urban planning integrates sustainable housing, commercial spaces, and community-centric development, making Dholera an attractive destination for skilled professionals.

Market Focus

Dholera will focus on (but is not limited to) the following industries:

    1. Heavy Engineering

    Heavy engineering industry is envisaged to be a part of the economic activity mix for DSIR. It comprises of production (machinery and equipment) of heavy electrical equipment (like turbines), power and distribution transformers, generators, High tension circuit breakers etc. The segment also includes manufacturing of machinery for sectors like cement, sugar, mining and metallurgy, boilers, precision machine tools and material handling equipment. Heavy transport equipment like railway coaches also form part of this economic activity in DSIR.

    2. Automobiles and Auto Ancillary

    The Automobile and Auto Ancillary industry envisaged to be set up in DSIR comprises of manufacture of automobile as well as automotive components. The sector also takes into account the manufacture of engines and heavy commercial vehicles like trucks, trawlers.

    3. Electronics, High-Tech and Emerging technologies/High value adding industries

    The Electronics, High-Tech and Emerging technologies/High value adding industries envisaged to be set up at DSIR, comprising the creation of new age, high value manufacturing . It comprises of production of high end consumer electronics, computer electronics, communication electronics, industrial electronics, and automotive electronics equipment. The economy activity mix under this category also comprises of wafer fabrication and associated technologies. This new age sector also involves setting up of modern industry sectors in nascent stages of development like nanotechnology, new materials, and cryogenics.

    4. Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

    The Pharmaceutical industry envisaged to be set up in DSIR comprises of Contract Research companies, Contract Manufacturing companies, companies manufacturing Biotechnology products, APIs, Ayurvedic Products, Biopharmaceuticals and Intermediates and fine chemicals Additionally, the industry also involves establishing world class research institutes for pharmaceuticals which undertake cutting edge research that can benefit the companies located within the DSIR as well as in other parts of the country. Biotechnology industry involves companies focusing on research and development as well as commercial production of products related to different aspects of biotechnology including Bioinformatics and agricultural, marine, pharmaceutical & healthcare, industrial and environmental biotechnology. The sector also takes into account setting up of R&D institutions undertaking cutting edge research in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

    5. Metal & Metallurgical Products

    Metal & metallurgical products industry at the DSIR does not envisage production of metals from their ores. This is because base metal producers in India typically have captive mines supplying ore to the producer at negligible costs. Moreover, the plants are located closer to the mines to reduce the logistics cost. Hence, the basic metals produced in India are among the most competitively priced across the globe. However, Gujarat does not have rich reserves of basic metals which can be used to sustain production. The bulky nature of import ensures a high logistics cost in transporting ore from a mine located elsewhere in India or abroad. This would raise the cost of production of metal making it production unviable.

    Metal and metallurgical product industry proposed at the DSIR includes secondary production of steel. The raw material for the industry can be sourced from the ship breaking yard at Alang located in close proximity to the DSIR. The proposed industry also includes production of fabricated metal products like steel pipes, steel & aluminium furniture and manufacturing of steel re rolled products. Similarly copper could be sourced from largest smelter located at Dahej.

    The industry also involves production of metallurgical products like Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing, Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing, steel wire drawing, Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing, Aluminum Extruded Product Manufacturing, Other Aluminum Rolling and Drawing, copper alloying, automobile forging etc.

    6. General Manufacturing

    Manufacturing units in the value chain will require the output / products from several other industries apart from their upstream and downstream industries for smooth running of their operations. These would comprise industries like packaging, office supplies, tooling etc. These industries have been designated to be located under the category of General Manufacturing in DSIR.

    These industries would go a long way in helping the DSIR become a self sustaining zone without being dependent on other regions for provision of critical resources for smooth running of operations.

    This category of industries in DSIR could include the following and others depending upon other core industries finally established:
  • Packaging
  • Ceramics
  • Office Supplies
  • Plastic Products
  • Technical Textiles
  • Tools
  • Office Furniture
  • Bathroom Fittings
  • Misc. industries not included in the recommended economic activity mix

    • In addition, although DSIR is envisaged to be home to a select few industry sectors. However, in future, in case of a permit needed by a newly emerged manufacturing industry to set up base in the DSIR, which has not been allocated area in the economic activity mix of DSIR, then this unit can be permitted to be set up its base in DSIR under the category of general manufacturing. However, it should be an exception rather than a rule.

    7. Agro and Food Processing

    The Agro and Food processing industry envisaged to be set up at DSIR comprises of preserved fruits and vegetables including canned and frozen fruits & vegetables, canned and frozen specialties, dried and dehydrated fruits & vegetables, pickles and salad dressings etc. The industry also includes manufacture of breakfast foods, flour mixes and doughs, and pet food. Dairy products like fluid milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream and confectionary products like candy, chocolate, chewing gum, and nuts & seeds are also included in the sub sectors of the food processing industry envisaged to be set up in DSIR. Beverages like malted beverages, soft drinks, and flavoring extracts as well as other foods like food including canned and frozen food, potato & corn chips, macaroni, spaghetti and pasta products are also included as part of this industry in the DSIR.

    MARKET POTENTIAL
  • Dholera offers large contiguous land parcels suitable for establishing a defense eco-system including but not limited to Manufacturing, Research & Development, Vendor Parks, Logistics & availability of skilled workforce.
  • Gujarat has approximately 101 engineering colleges with a capacity of 46,639 seats. Major institutes include IIT, Nirma University, LD Engineering College, Gujarat university, Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of ICT and others. The skilled work force required for industrial development is easily available in Gujarat.
    Manufacturing
  • Gujarat is a thriving Auto & Engineering hub that can potentially contribute to the defence supply chain. Major hubs for Auto and Engineering are in Ahmedabad (100 KM) and Rajkot (175 KM)
  • A strong MSME sector already exists in Gujarat, which plays an important role in the Defence Manufacturing supply chain
  • Gujarat offers an established port sector
  • Gujarat also offers excellent technical education
  • Indian electronics market is expected to increase at CAGR of 8.1% between FY16 and FY22
  • While consumer durables market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 16.3% between FY15 and FY20
  • In Gujarat, between 2004 and 2013, the GSDP for agriculture sector including animal husbandry sector had increased from USD 4.5 billion, at constant 2004-05 prices
  • In Gujarat, there are 3339 pharma manufacturing units (as of March, 2014) including allopathic, Ayurvedic, cosmetic, homeopathy units
  • Pharma exports from Gujarat increased from USD 0.2 billion to USD 2.8 billion between 2004 and 2013. Formulation formed 40% of the exports while the rest was bulk drugs

Connectivity

CONNECTIVITY INFRASTRUCTURE
RAIL
  • MRTS is planned which will connect DSIR with Ahmedabad
  • Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is 1.5 hours from DSIR
  • Dholera Railway Station proposed in DSIR
ROAD
  • Currently, two lane State Highway being expanded to 4 lanes
  • A dedicated 6 lane access controlled expressway connecting Ahmedabad & Dholera is proposed and design work has been completed for the same
AIR
  • Proposed Dholera International Airport will be located in close proximity to the Northern boundary of DSIR
  • Environment Clearance from MoEF and site clearance from MoCA have been obtained for developing an International Airport at Dholera
  • Bhavnagar Domestic Airport and Ahmedabad International Airport are 2 hours from DSIR
SEA
  • Pipavav is the closest port to DSIR, which is approximately 200 km away
  • Pipavav has a range of cargo handling capabilities such as Container, Bulk, Capital Goods, Liquid, Gas, etc.
  • DSIR is also well connected to the major ports of Mundra and Kandla