Dholera SIR snippets

A high-level Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) meeting, held under the chairmanship of chief minister Narendra Modi, has decided to convert Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), proposed on 903 sq km area off Gulf of Khambhat and south of Ahmedabad, into a new age city with world-class infrastructure and high quality of life. A comprehensive assessment of the industrial and commercial potential, undertaken by top international consultants, Walcrow, has determined economic viability of the proposed city, which will seek to provide residence to about 20 lakh people over a 30-year time frame. A recent presentation made at the GIDB meeting suggested that the Dholera SIR will have a wide range of industrial uses, with particular strengths in the electronics and high-tech industries, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, heavy engineering and auto and general manufacturing sectors. The industrial employment is proposed to provide the economic foundation of the SIR and generate “base” jobs to 3.43 lakh people. It would further generate 4.84 lakh jobs in support services. All of it together would support a total population of 25 lakh, including people commuting from urban centres like Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar. However, as majority of the people doing job in the SIR would live in the new city, the SIR itself would construct five lakh dwelling units. Category-wise, 20 per cent of the residential area would be reserved for the development of low income groups, another 57 per cent for medium income groups, and the remaining 13 per cent for higher income groups. All residential areas would be mixed incomes and housing will be developed with comprehensive range of community facilities, including schools, medical facilities, neighbourhood retail and open space. Major hospitals, colleges, government offices and facilities such as post offices, fire stations, libraries, theatres and meeting halls, parks and sports venues and a range of religious building would be located in the central business district and the key commercial centres located in different parts of the city. While most of the work would take place in three phases, each having 10 years’ time space, the development of the city would start at Ambli village in the north side, close to the existing state highway 6, and then proceed southward to Bavariyari village. A 116-km-long expressway for Rs 2,500 crore, starting at Auda Ring Road, would connect Ahmedabad with Dholera SIR. For this, land acquisition, 150 metres wide, starting at Auda Ring Road, passing through Dholka, Vataman, Pipli and Dholera, has begun. The proposed Dholera international airport would be linked to this expressway with a five-km link road. There would be only about half-a-dozen other outlets for the expressway.