Is Dholera the Next Dubai? Inside the Infrastructure That’s Attracting Real Estate Giants

Dholera Smart City, located in Gujarat, is rapidly becoming a hotspot for real estate investment. But what exactly is fueling this rising interest among investors and homebuyers? The answer lies in infrastructure development—the foundation of any growing city. With world-class expressways, a new international airport, expanding metro networks, and robust social amenities, Dholera is transforming from a vision into a reality.

Let’s explore the key infrastructure projects driving property demand in Dholera, and why now might be the ideal time to invest in this upcoming global city.

1. Expressways and Highways: Fueling Seamless Connectivity

One of the strongest drivers of real estate growth is road connectivity. Dholera has benefited immensely from the development of major expressways, including:

Ahmedabad Dholera Expressway: A 109 km, 4-lane access-controlled expressway under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), drastically reducing travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera.

Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway: Enhancing travel across Gujarat’s major economic hubs.

Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway: Connecting Western India with North India, making logistics and business easier.

These highways don’t just reduce travel time—they unlock real estate potential. Improved road networks attract industries, which in turn create job opportunities, leading to a surge in demand for housing and commercial spaces.

2. Dholera International Airport: A Game Changer in Progress

Air connectivity is a vital element for any smart city. The upcoming Dholera International Airport, located near the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), is a landmark project. Scheduled for cargo operations by October 2025, this greenfield airport will be capable of handling both passenger and freight traffic.

Once operational, it will:

Support business and industrial logistics in DSIR.

Attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

Boost tourism and hospitality.

Significantly increase residential and commercial property values around the airport zone.

Moreover, the concept of Aerotropolis a city built around an airport—means that the surrounding real estate will likely see exponential appreciation in the coming years.

3. Metro Rail Expansion: Easy Urban Mobility

Metro connectivity plays a critical role in making a city liveable and attractive. In Gujarat, the expansion of the Ahmedabad Metro and plans to connect Dholera with cities like Surat and Gandhinagar via high-speed rail or metro lines are already in motion.

Benefits include:

Faster and eco-friendly commuting.

Increased accessibility to workspaces, schools, and shopping hubs.

Higher preference for residential units near metro stations.

For property investors, buying land or flats near planned or existing metro corridors in Dholera presents a smart opportunity for long-term value growth.

4. Social Infrastructure: Building a Liveable Ecosystem

Beyond transport and connectivity, social infrastructure plays a crucial role in attracting families and professionals. Dholera’s master plan includes:

Modern schools and universities.

Multispecialty hospitals and healthcare centers.

Commercial zones with malls, shopping complexes, restaurants, and entertainment hubs.

IT and Industrial Parks to create employment ecosystems.

Such facilities not only make life convenient but also boost the demand for residential and commercial property. Investors tend to flock to areas that offer holistic development rather than just bare plots.

Why Dholera Smart City is Becoming India’s Top Investment Destination

All these infrastructure developments are part of a larger, ambitious plan: Dholera Smart City, India’s first greenfield smart city developed under the DMIC initiative. Designed with futuristic urban planning, Dholera offers:

100% green and sustainable city features.

Digitally integrated governance and services.

Planned zones for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

World-class urban design and smart utilities.

These developments are not just promises—they’re happening on the ground. Investors are already seeing price appreciation and rising inquiries for land plots in the region.

Major Infrastructure Projects Driving Property Demand in Dholera Smart City

1. Expressways & Highways: Connectivity on Fast Track

Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway: As of May 2025, 95–100% of the 109 km stretch has been completed, cutting travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera to about 40–45 minutes 

Airport Link Road: A dedicated 9.56 km expressway is underway to connect Dholera International Airport to the main corridor, with construction budgets over ₹550 crore.

2.Metro & High-Speed Rail: Boosting Urban Mobility

Integration with DMIC includes feasibility for metro or high‑speed rail links (e.g., future Ahmedabad–Surat or Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet trains) 

The Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train project, while independent, underscores regional transport advancements that will indirectly elevate Dholera’s appeal 

2.Social & Renewable Infrastructure: Amenities & Sustainability

A 300 MW solar park is operational in Dholera SIR, aligning with green city goals 

The Gujarat budget allocates ₹200 crore in 2025–26 for infrastructure—boosting power, water, roads, and waste management systems.

3.Property Trends: Prices & Investor Sentiment

Over the past decade, residential land prices in Dholera have soared 10×, propelled largely by improved connectivity and infrastructure 

Early residential schemes are now focusing on smart housing, featuring water recycling, energy efficiency, and digital controls 

4.Tata semiconductor Dholera impact

Tata Electronics is setting up India’s first commercial semiconductor fabrication facility in the Dholera Special Investment Region (Dholera SIR), Gujarat, with an estimated investment of ₹91,000 crore Scheduled to begin commercial production by late 2026, the fab aims for a capacity of up to 50,000 wafers per month, manufacturing chips like power‑management ICs, display drivers, MCUs, and high‑performance logic for industries such as AI, automotive, and data communications To support this workforce, Gujarat is fast‑tracking 1,500 serviced apartments for expatriates and Tata staff, with additional units and a Tata-built residential complex planned by mid‑2027.