The History of Dholera: From Ancient Port to...
Mar 30, 2026- 207 Views
Master Planners of Dholera Smart City
Global Expertise Behind Dholera's Master Plan
The development of Dholera Smart City has been guided by world-class international consultants and master planners who brought global best practices to India's first greenfield smart city.
1. Halcrow Group Limited (UK) - Concept Master Planner
Halcrow Group Limited, a globally renowned engineering and consulting firm from the United Kingdom, was appointed as the primary master planner for Dholera SIR. Their work included:
- Concept Master Plan (CMP): The foundational blueprint defining the entire 922 sq. km SIR
- Phased Development Strategy: 30-year development plan up to 2042
- Land Use Planning: Zoning of residential, commercial, industrial, and green zones
- Infrastructure Framework: Conceptual design for utilities, roads, and smart systems
- Sustainability Guidelines: Green city principles and environmental standards
Halcrow's master plan, sanctioned in September 2012, was notable for its scale—six times the size of Shanghai—and its comprehensive approach to sustainable urban development.
2. AECOM India Pvt. Ltd. (USA-based firm) - Program Management Consultant
AECOM India Pvt. Ltd., a global infrastructure consulting firm headquartered in the USA, was appointed as the Program Management Consultant (PMC) for the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). Their responsibilities included:
- Detailed Engineering: Translating Halcrow Master Plan into actionable engineering designs
- Activation Area Execution: Overseeing development of the 22.5 sq. km demonstration zone
- Building Information Modeling (BIM): Implementing digital modeling for construction management
- Common Utility Corridor (CUC) Concept: Designing underground utility networks
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring construction quality and adherence to specifications
AECOM's role has been instrumental in achieving over 95% completion status of the Activation Area infrastructure.
3. Other Key Consultants
- Sadbhav Engineering Ltd: Construction of Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway (NH-751) - Packages 1 and 2 (48.52 km)
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T): Construction of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (₹156.86 crore) and Sewage Treatment Plant (₹53.13 crore)
- Cube Construction Engineering Ltd: Construction of ABCD Building (Administration and Business Centre)
- M/s P.R. Patel & Company: Canal Front Development Zone (₹41.42 crore)
- MS Khurana Engineering Ltd: Water Treatment Plant balance works (₹87.97 crore)
- Tagbin: Experience Zone at ABCD Building (₹4.84 crore)
- New Concept: Business and Exhibition Centre interior fit-out (₹19.44 crore)
- M/s Jugalkishore Ramkishan Agrawal Pvt Ltd: Adhiya River Bunding Phase-1 (₹11.87 crore)
4. Master Planning Process
The master planning for Dholera involved a rigorous, multi-stage process:
- Phase 1 (2008-2012): Concept development, feasibility studies, and master plan drafting by Halcrow
- Phase 2 (2012-2016): Detailed Town Planning Schemes (TP1 to TP6) and approval process
- Phase 3 (2016-2020): Engineering design by AECOM and infrastructure tendering
- Phase 4 (2020-2025): Construction execution and project completion
- Phase 5 (2025-2042): Operationalization and expansion across remaining TP schemes
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