The Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) is India’s first and largest investment region being developed under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). It is India’s most sophisticated greenfield smart city that is proposed to be built from scratch. Smart infrastructure lessons are being drawn from global cities including Singapore, New York, London, Brussels, and Songdo.
The Gujarat government has taken a global benchmarking approach studying successful smart city design and technology deployment with sustainable infrastructure, and efficient urban management. Let’s see how Dholera is implementing best practices from around the world.
Road Design: Inspired by London, New York, and Singapore
Road development is a major contributing factor to the progress of every advanced city. Dholera’s advanced infrastructure is inspired by London, New York, and Singapore concentrating on:
- Multi-tier service roads comprising of expressways, arterial and service roads
- Smart traffic management systems with AI and Automatic facial recognition surveillance cameras
- Eco-friendly pedestrian and bicycle paths
- Adequate person public transport corridors to industrial, residential and commercial areas
With these features, the roads in Dholera along with subsurface utilities, provision of green corridors, smart transport, and more will achieve mobility for businesses and residents without any constraints.
Solid Waste Management: Modeled After Brussels, Songdo, and New York
Solid waste management refers to the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste in a way that mitigates harm to health and the environment. Dholera is implementing the zero-waste strategy of Brussels, Songdo, and New York City by:
- Automating the central collection of waste using pumps for the efficient disposal of waste without the use of roadside bins.
- Converting organic waste into biogas and electricity using waste-to-energy bioplant facilities.
- Using IoT-enabled systems for monitoring and smart segregation and recycling of waste.
Dholera seeks to become a smart city that has no waste, leading to a greener and cleaner environment.
Power & ICT: Inspired by Singapore, London, Canada & Denmark
Dholera aims to implement the Power & ICT systems of Singapore, London, Canada and Denmark because a smart city should operate under a reliable digital and power infrastructure such as:
- The installation of electricity cables through tunnels provides 100% safety and reliability.
- Integrating solar and wind smart grids into power supply for better power distribution economy.
- Enabling seamless digital backbone communication via high-speed fiber optic networks.
- Governance and security enhancement through urban monitoring powered by artificial intelligence.
These changes will help Dholera become the first fully digitally integrated smart city in India, which will attract high-technology industries and investment from all over the world.
Water & Wastewater Management: Following Singapore, California, and Hong Kong
Cities across the globe grapple with water shortage, which is the most daunting obstacle in urbanization. Dholera’s water management system borrows a leaf from the books of Singapore, California, and Hong Kong by offering:
- Artificial Intelligence supervised monitoring through smart water meters to reduce wastage
- Wastewater irrigation for landscaping and industrial purposes
- Sustainable groundwater replenishment through decentralized rainwater harvesting
- Long-term water security covered by advanced desalination
Dholera guarantees self-sufficient industrial and residential water supply by implementing smart sustainable Dholera water management systems.
Storm Water Management: Modeled After Brussels, Songdo, and New York
Resilience against climate change is another feature of modern smart cities. Dholera’s proactive stormwater management integrates global best practices from Brussels, Songdo, and New York:
- Urban flood prevention through underground drainage systems
- Reduction in runoff via permeable pavements
- Rainfall impact assessment and management via smart flood monitoring sensors
These measures will guarantee efficient water drainage and make Dholera flood-proof.
Urban Planning: Inspired by London, Chicago, and Milton Keynes
Dholera’s approach to urban planning is akin to that of London, Chicago, and Milton Keynes in the following ways:
- The harmonious blending of industrial, commercial, and residential functions through zoning
- City layout promoting walking and public transport accessibility
- Smart parks and green areas that increase quality of life
- Development in clusters provides residents accessibility to important facilities
Dholera is planned as a “walk-to-work” city to enhance livability by minimizing commute times and improving quality of life.
Reasons Why Dholera is Disruptive in India’s Smart City Ecosystem
- Smartest City: Dholera is the largest smart city of India covering 920 sq. km, larger than Singapore
- First Greenfield Industrial Smart City: Built from ground zero using the most advanced tech
- 100 percent renewable energy city: Aspires to be carbon neutral and use wind and solar for power
- Global Connectivity: Dedicated international airport, expressways, and a seaport for global trade
- Plug-and-Play Infrastructure: Ready-to-use industrial zones with smart city governance
Conclusion: Dholera – The Future of Smart Cities in India
Dholera is not just another city—it’s India’s gateway to global smart infrastructure. By benchmarking its planning and technology against the world’s best cities, Dholera is set to become the most advanced smart city in South Asia.
With its future-ready infrastructure, sustainable design, and smart governance, Dholera is the ideal destination for industries, investors, and residents looking for a world-class living and business environment.
