Western Railway Issues ₹18,901.68 Crore EPC Tender for Sarkhej-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail Line

Western Railway has issued an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) tender worth ₹18,901.68 crore for the Sarkhej-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Railway Line in Gujarat. This tender covers the main rail corridor along with spur lines to Dholera International Airport and the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal.

This is the next major stage for the Ahmedabad-Dholera railway project after the Union Cabinet approved it in May 2026. However, construction has not yet started. Western Railway is currently inviting bids, making this the next major step towards construction beginning soon.

What Is the ₹18,901.68 Crore Sarkhej-Dholera Rail Tender?

What Will Be Built Under the Sarkhej-Dholera EPC Tender?

The ₹18,901.68 crore tender is not simply for laying railway tracks.

Its scope includes:

• Railway formation and viaducts
• Bridges and associated structures
• Station buildings
• Ballasted and BLT track systems
• Overhead traction system
• Electrical services
• Signalling and telecommunications
• Operating Control Centre
• System integration
• Testing and commissioning

The main broad-gauge double railway line between Sarkhej and Dholera is about 109.16 km long. With spur lines connecting the corridor to Dholera International Airport and Lothal NMHC, the total planned railway network is approximately 134.06 km.

₹18,901.68 Crore Tender vs ₹20,667 Crore Project Cost: What Is the Difference?

Investors following Dholera latest news may see two different figures online: ₹18,901.68 crore and ₹20,667 crore.

The difference is simple.

₹20,667 crore is the approximate total cost of the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 13 May 2026.

₹18,901.68 crore is the estimated value of the current EPC construction package issued by Western Railway.

Therefore, the two figures refer to the overall project cost and the specific EPC package respectively.

Has Construction of the Sarkhej-Dholera Railway Started?

Not yet under this ₹18,901.68 crore EPC package. Western Railway has issued the tender and invited bids, marking an important step towards contract award and the start of construction mobilisation.

The next major developments to watch are:

Bid closure → Bid evaluation → Contractor selection → Contract award → Construction mobilisation → Physical works

Why Is the Sarkhej-Dholera Rail Project Important for Dholera?

The Sarkhej-Dholera rail project is important because it will improve Dholera’s connectivity with Ahmedabad, Dholera International Airport, Lothal and the surrounding region. It will also support the growing industrial ecosystem of Dholera SIR.

• Ahmedabad-Dholera connectivity: Faster rail travel can make passenger movement between Ahmedabad and Dholera easier.
• Airport connectivity: Rail connectivity to Dholera International Airport will strengthen the region’s multimodal transport network.
• Industrial connectivity: Better rail infrastructure can support workers, businesses and logistics linked to Dholera SIR.
• Daily commuting: Better connectivity can make daily commuting more practical, widening the labour pool available to Dholera industries.
• Lothal connectivity: The project will improve access to Lothal and the National Maritime Heritage Complex.
• Sea port connectivity: The rail project will complement Dholera’s wider logistics network, including access to Bhavnagar Port, around 65 km from Dholera SIR, which is being developed as an important port gateway for the region.
• Regional connectivity: The government expects the project to benefit around 284 villages and nearly 5 lakh people.

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Our aim is to provide clear, factual and easy-to-understand Dholera news for investors, buyers, businesses and people who want to track the city's development.

We cover important updates related to:

• Dholera International Airport
• Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway
• Sarkhej-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail
• Tata Semiconductor Fab
• Industrial and manufacturing projects
• Dholera infrastructure development
• Government approvals, tenders and project milestones

At Dholera Times, we focus on information from official government announcements, project authorities, tender documents and credible sources wherever available. We also explain what each development actually means instead of simply repeating headlines.

Conclusion

The ₹18,901.68 crore Western Railway EPC tender is a major step forward for the Sarkhej-Dholera semi-high-speed rail project after its Cabinet approval. It brings the project into the bidding stage for major civil, track, electrical, signalling and commissioning works.

For Dholera investors, the developments that matter most from here are contractor selection, contract award and visible construction progress as the railway project moves from approval towards execution.

Source- https://english.gujaratsamachar.com/news/gujarat/western-railway-floats-indian-rupee18901-cr-tender-for-sarkhej-dholera-semi-high-speed-rail-corridor-92234212673

FAQs

Q. What is the cost of the Sarkhej-Dholera railway tender?

Western Railway has issued an EPC tender estimated at ₹18,901.68 crore for construction and system works related to the Sarkhej-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Rail Line.

Q. What is the total cost of the Ahmedabad-Dholera railway project?

The Union Cabinet approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project at an approximate total cost of ₹20,667 crore in May 2026.

Q. What is the length of the Sarkhej-Dholera railway line?

The main Sarkhej-Dholera line is approximately 109.16 km. Including spur lines to Dholera International Airport and Lothal NMHC, the total planned network is around 134.06 km.

Q. Has construction started on the Dholera semi-high-speed railway?

The ₹18,901.68 crore EPC package is currently at the tender stage. Contract award and mobilisation are still required before construction under this package begins.

Q. When will the Sarkhej-Dholera railway project be completed?

The Union government's Cabinet approval states that the overall project is planned for completion up to 2030-31. The current EPC tender provides a 42-month period of work after contract award.