Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway & Dholera SIR: Building Gujarat’s Future at Full Throttle
In a significant update shared during the Gujarat Assembly, Minister of State Jagdish Vishwakarma confirmed that the 109-km long Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, being developed by the Central Government, is set for completion by May 2025. This high-speed corridor is not just a road—it’s a lifeline that will power the region's economic engine for decades to come.
What sets this expressway apart is its eco-conscious construction strategy. In an innovative move, the project will utilize 35 lakh cubic meters of recycled waste for embankment construction. As a result, 29 acres from Ahmedabad's massive 80-acre waste dump will be cleared. Additionally, around 173.82 lakh cubic meters of fly ash sourced from various thermal power plants will be repurposed for the build—making this one of the
greenest highway initiatives in the country. Adding to its sustainability goals, a lush green belt is planned on either side of the expressway, covering 97.19 hectares with over 97,000 trees. To protect local wildlife, a dedicated wildlife crossing (4.5m x 7m) will also be constructed, showcasing a perfect balance between infrastructure and ecology.
Designed for speed and scalability, the expressway will initially handle 25,000 vehicles daily, with a top speed of 120 km/h. Future-ready provisions have been made to scale up the four-lane expressway to twelve lanes as traffic demand grows. A cloverleaf interchange, modeled after the one at Adalaj, will enhance local accessibility.
Linking directly to the upcoming Dholera International Airport, a 9.56 km Greenfield link road will be built at an estimated cost of ₹550.49 crore, offering seamless access between the expressway and the airport. Zooming out to the broader vision, the minister detailed developments in the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR)—a world-class Greenfield Industrial Smart City being developed across 920 sq. km in Ahmedabad district. In its first phase, development activities are focused on 153 sq. km, and the momentum is already visible.
Several marquee industries have already set up shop in Dholera:
Looking ahead, Dholera SIR is expected to create over 8 lakh jobs, positioning it as one of the largest industrial employment hubs in the nation. To support this massive industrial ecosystem, the government is working on key connectivity projects including:
With world-class infrastructure, sustainable practices, and powerhouse industries anchoring its growth, Dholera is rapidly transforming into India’s most future-forward industrial and smart city zone.