Behind Dholera’s Smart Blueprint: How Global Experts Are Building India’s First Greenfield Smart City

The planning and execution of Dholera is led by world-class global and Indian organizations, ensuring professional design, smart technology, and high-quality infrastructure. Located in Dholera, Gujarat, under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the city is being built completely from scratch as a modern Greenfield Smart City. With landmark projects like Dholera International Airport, Tata Semiconductor Fab, Ahmedabad Dholera Expressway, and Dholera Solar Park, the Dholera smart city project is rapidly emerging as one of India’s most promising future economic hubs.

This blog explores how international expertise and advanced planning are shaping smart city Dholera into India’s most futuristic urban model.

Meet the Global Leaders Behind Dholera’s Development

The development of Dholera SIR is not handled by a single agency. It is a combined effort of world-class planners, engineers, technology firms, and Indian execution partners. Every layer of the city, from master planning to digital systems, is being designed by globally experienced organizations. This is one of the biggest reasons why smart city Dholera stands apart from other smart city projects in India.

Now, let us understand the key organizations shaping the city.

Halcrow (UK): The Master Planner of Dholera

The foundation of Dholera Smart City lies in world-class urban planning. The master plan was prepared by Halcrow, a globally renowned UK-based urban planning firm (now part of Jacobs Engineering).

Halcrow designed the entire 922.5 sq km Dholera area, making it one of the largest planned smart cities in the world. The planning follows a modern “Live-Work-Play” model, ensuring:

• Organized residential and industrial zones
• Smart mobility networks
• Sustainable environmental planning
• Future-ready expansion strategy

This structured planning is what makes Dholera SIR Smart City different from every other upcoming smart city project in India.

AECOM (USA): Turning Plans into Physical Infrastructure

While Halcrow created the vision, AECOM is converting that vision into reality. AECOM is the main program manager and engineering consultant for the Dholera smart city project.

Their responsibilities include:

• Construction of wide internal roads
• Integrated water and drainage systems
• Underground utility corridors
• Smart city ICT infrastructure

AECOM is using global tools like BIM and GIS mapping to ensure that development in Dholera, Gujarat, happens with precision and efficiency.

Wipro, IBM & Cisco: Building Dholera’s Digital Nervous System

A real smart city is not just about roads and buildings - it is about digital intelligence.

Technology giants like Wipro, IBM, and Cisco are developing the digital framework of smart city Dholera, including:

• Command and Control Centers
• IoT-based monitoring systems
• Smart traffic management
• Digital governance platforms

This technology backbone will allow real-time management of security, transport, power, and utilities.

Indian and International Execution Partners

Along with global firms, major Indian organizations are also contributing, such as:

• L&T Infrastructure
• RITES
• Torrent Power
• TERI
• SPML Infra

These collaborations ensure that upcoming projects in Dholera are executed with international quality and Indian efficiency.

Urban Planning: Learning from Global Cities

Dholera follows proven international urban planning practices to create a modern and sustainable city. Every element from roads to utilities is designed using global best practices.

Understanding Urban Planning in Dholera

The planning of Dholera Smart City is inspired by global cities like Singapore, Songdo, and London. The idea is to avoid problems seen in older cities, such as congestion, poor drainage, and unorganized growth.

Every element of the city has been pre-planned, from transport networks to industrial zones and residential sectors.

Solid Waste Management Planning

Dholera follows international best practices for waste management:

• Segregation at source
• Waste-to-energy conversion
• Scientific landfill treatment
• Smart collection systems

This ensures that the city remains clean and environmentally sustainable.

Road Design and Mobility Planning

Mobility is a major highlight of the smart city Dholera.

Key features include:

• Wide multi-lane roads
• Dedicated pedestrian and cycling tracks
• Future metro and BRT corridors
• Smart traffic systems

Connectivity is further boosted by the Ahmedabad Dholera Expressway, which will drastically reduce the Dholera to Ahmedabad travel time.

Water and Wastewater Management Planning

Inspired by Singapore’s water model, Dholera is planned to achieve:

• 100% wastewater recycling
• Dual pipeline system
• Smart water meters
• SCADA-based monitoring

This makes it one of the most water-efficient Gujarat smart city developments.

Storm Water and Climate-Resilient Design

Flood management is built into the master plan with:

• Rainwater harvesting
• Smart drainage systems
• Sensor-based monitoring
• Climate-resilient infrastructure

Such planning ensures long-term safety for Plots in Dholera Smart City.

Power and ICT Infrastructure Planning

Dholera is planned as an energy-secure city with:

• 24×7 reliable power
• Integration of renewable energy engineering
• Large-scale industrial solar panels
• Underground power distribution

The nearby Dholera Solar Park (5,000 MW) strengthens its position as India’s green energy hub.

City Management and Governance Planning

A centralized Integrated Command Centre will manage:

• Traffic
• Utilities
• Security
• Emergency services

This centralized approach ensures Dholera functions as a fully intelligent, responsive, and safe urban ecosystem.

Plug-and-Play Infrastructure Model in Dholera Smart City

Dholera offers ready-to-use infrastructure for industries and businesses. Power, water, roads, and digital connectivity are pre-built to enable immediate operations.

Concept of Plug-and-Play Development

Dholera has been planned so that industries can start operations immediately without waiting for years of basic infrastructure development. All essential services are designed to reach directly at the lot level.

Industries in Dholera get ready infrastructure, such as:

• Power: Reliable 24×7 electricity supply through dedicated smart power networks
• Water: Continuous industrial and potable water supply through planned pipelines
• Roads: Wide, well-designed internal road networks for smooth logistics
• Fiber Connectivity: High-speed digital connectivity for IT and smart operations
• Drainage: Pre-built storm water and sewage systems for hassle-free functioning

This plug-and-play ecosystem is a major reason why global and domestic companies are attracted to setup industries in Dholera.

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India’s Largest Underground Utility Corridor

Unlike other cities, Dholera has:

• No overhead wires
• No frequent road digging
• Organized underground ducts

This advanced system supports modern industries using equipment like monorail crane systems and heavy manufacturing setups.

The 4As Vision of Dholera

The development philosophy of Dholera Smart City is based on:

• Accessible
• Adaptable
• Affordable
• Aspirational

This is why interest in investing in Dholera opportunities is rising rapidly.

Governance, Policy, and Implementation Framework

A strong legal and administrative system drives the development of Dholera SIR. Transparent policies and single-window approvals ensure smooth and organized execution.

Institutional Structure Behind Dholera

The development of Dholera Smart City is managed by the Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority (DSIRDA) under the DMIC program. This single governing body handles planning, approvals, infrastructure execution, and investor facilitation in a coordinated manner. Because of this centralized and transparent system, development in Dholera SIR remains policy-driven, organized, and legally secure, giving strong confidence to businesses and investors.

Town Planning Schemes and Land Management

A Town Planning (TP) Scheme in Dholera Smart City transforms raw agricultural land into well-organized urban plots with proper roads, utilities, and zoning. Each sector, identified by a TP Number such as TP-1, TP-2, TP-3, identifies officially approved development zones. The land owned by farmers before planning is known as the Original Plot (OP), and after the TP process, it is reshaped and returned as a better-organized parcel called the Final Plot (FP) with clear road access and infrastructure alignment. TP schemes enforce zoning for residential, industrial, commercial, and green areas, ensuring orderly growth, while roads, water, drainage, and power are laid out systematically. For investors, TPs offer legal clarity, structured development, transparent land records, and long-term value stability.

Single-Window Systems and Approvals

One of the biggest advantages of smart city Dholera is its business-friendly approval mechanism. All major permissions related to land use, construction, utilities, and industry setup are handled through a single window digital system. This reduces paperwork, saves time, and eliminates bureaucratic delays. For companies planning to set up manufacturing units or warehouses, this streamlined process makes Dholera a preferred destination among upcoming industrial hubs in India.

Phased Development Strategy

Development is happening in phases. The Activation Area is already complete with ready infrastructure.

Key ongoing projects include:

• ABCD Building Dholera
• Internal road networks
• Industrial zones
• Utility systems

Public-Private Collaboration Model

The growth of Dholera, Gujarat, is driven by strong collaboration between government agencies, global consultants, and private sector partners. Infrastructure development, technology integration, and project execution are handled through professional partnerships rather than only government departments. This public–private model brings efficiency, global expertise, and financial strength together, making the Dholera Smart City project one of the most professionally executed urban developments in the country.

What This Means for Investors and Stakeholders

Dholera represents a long-term, infrastructure-led investment opportunity. Strong connectivity and mega projects make it a promising future economic hub.

Significance of Global Consultants in Dholera

Because global experts are involved, investors gain:

• Long-term project reliability
• International quality infrastructure
• Organized urban growth
• Higher future appreciation

Indicators of a Well-Planned Urban Project

Dholera offers all fundamentals:

• Strong connectivity
• Planned industrial zones
• Upcoming airport
• Expressways
• Renewable energy hub

This makes Dholera Sir Smart City one of the safest long-term investment destinations in India.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Future Indian Cities

Dholera Smart City is not just another urban project. It is India’s first true Greenfield Smart City, designed with global expertise and executed with modern technology.

With landmark developments like:

• Tata Semiconductor Fab
• Dholera International Airport
• Ahmedabad Dholera Expressway
• Dholera Solar Park

The city is steadily turning into a world-class economic powerhouse.

For industries, businesses, and investors looking at the future of India, smart city Dholera represents one of the most promising opportunities of this decade.