The History of Dholera: From Ancient Port to...
Mar 30, 2026- 37 Views
The History of Dholera: From Ancient Port to India's First Smart City
The Ancient Roots of Dholera
Dholera has ancient roots dating back to the Harappan (Indus Valley Civilization) period, where it served as an important coastal settlement and port near the Gulf of Khambhat. This strategic location made it a vital trading hub in ancient times, connecting the Indian subcontinent to global maritime trade routes. The mercantile legacy established thousands of years ago laid the foundation for Dholera's modern transformation.
Modern Vision Takes Shape
The modern development of Dholera began with its strategic inclusion in India's ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project in 2008. The DMIC is one of the world's largest infrastructure programs, aimed at creating industrial zones and smart city nodes across six states. Dholera was identified as a prime location due to its proximity to Ahmedabad, Gulf of Khambhat, and existing industrial hubs.
Key Legislative Milestones
- 2009: Dholera was officially notified as a Special Investment Region (SIR) under the Gujarat Special Investment Region Act, providing the legal framework for large-scale investment areas exceeding 100 sq. km.
- 2010: The Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority (DSIRDA) was constituted to oversee planning, governance, and land management of the vast 920 sq. km area.
- 2012: Global consulting firms Halcrow Group (UK) and AECOM drafted the master plan, sanctioned in September 2012, which was six times the size of Shanghai.
- 2013: Town Planning Schemes (TPS 1 to 6) were finalized, utilizing a unique land pooling mechanism for infrastructure development.
- 2016: The Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL) was formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with 51% Gujarat Government and 49% Central Government stake.
Evolution to Smart City Status
By 2019, construction of core trunk infrastructure within the Activation Area (22.5 sq. km.) was largely completed. Today, Dholera stands as India's first greenfield industrial smart city, transitioning from planning to active commissioning with world-class infrastructure and smart technology integration.
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