Dholera City Connectivity (2025): Airport, Expressways, Rail, Metro & Sea Ports
Dholera’s edge is logistics. This page gives you a clear, current picture of how Dholera connects to the world—today and over the next few years—across air, road, expressways, industrial corridors (DMIC/DFC), rail (including new lines), metro/MRTS, and nearby sea ports.
Airport
Dholera International Airport (Phase-1) is targeted for December 2025.
Expressway
Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway is a ~109 km, access-controlled corridor; progress reported around over 95% in Dec-2025.
Freight Corridor (DFC)
Western DFC is slated for full commissioning by Dec 2025.
Rail Connectivity (new lines)
- Bhimnath–Dholera (≈23.3 km): ₹466 cr sanctioned.
- Bhavnagar–Dholera (≈65 km): Final Location Survey (FLS) approved Aug 23, 2025.
Sea Ports (road distance)
Bhavnagar ~65 km, Pipavav ~200 km, Kandla ~300 km, Mundra ~350 km.
Metro/MRTS corridor
State’s plan shows Expressway + MRTS in a common corridor between Ahmedabad and Dholera.
Dholera Connectivity (2025)
Air Connectivity: Dholera International Airport
Status & timeline: The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated in Parliament that the Dholera Greenfield Airport remains on schedule for December 2025 completion (Phase-1). Independent trackers show Phase-1 works include a 3.2 km runway; the long-term plan provides two parallel runways (3,200 m and 4,000 m). What it unlocks: Passenger + cargo capacity designed to support Dholera’s manufacturing base and decongest Ahmedabad.
Deep dive on facilities & phasing → Dholera International Airport
Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor
Dholera SIR is a flagship DMIC node, as it is the Biggest Smart City project node on this corridor. The Activation Area (22.5 sq km) was funded as trunk infrastructure to catalyze investment; the SPV (DICDL) drives implementation. Why it matters: DMIC planning synchronizes industrial land, utilities, and logistics so companies can scale without friction, as it is critical for export-oriented manufacturing.
Dholera’s Connectivity with Sea Ports
Dholera sits within driving reach of multiple west-coast ports, giving manufacturers real choice:
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Bhavnagar Port: ~65 km
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Pipavav Port: ~200 km
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Kandla (Deendayal): ~300 km
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Mundra: ~350 km
Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway
What it is: With investment of Rs 4373 Crore, this is a 109 km, access-controlled expressway linking Ahmedabad to Dholera SIR and then merges into NH 751 onward toward Bhavnagar. Status: Multiple trackers and updates in 2025 show the project nearing completion (~95%) with opening expected around Dec 2025 or early 2026. Why it matters: Faster, safer, predictable travel times for workers, executives, and time-sensitive cargo. Ahmedabad to Dholera’s 2.5 Hour journey will now take 45-60 Mins via this expressway.
Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) & Dholera
The Western DFC (Dadri–JNPT, ~1,506 km) is India’s freight backbone. Corridor: Delhi (Dadri) to JNPT (Mumbai) via Gujarat; DFCCIL shows progressive commissioning and targets Dec 2025 for full commissioning. Dholera linkages: Dholera’s rail plans and expressway/MRTS corridor are conceived to feed into DFC-served logistics, lowering freight time and cost. DFC is planned to be linked to Dholera SIR via Bhimnath terminal.
Are “all roads” to Dholera becoming 6-lane highways?
Short answer: All the major approaches are being upgraded. Starting from Pipli Fedra Highway which is already 4 lane and being expanded to 6 lane highway right now. It is the most loved road by Dholera Real Estate Investors. The Ahmedabad Dholera Expressway and NH-751 are the primary high-speed corridors (planned with future expandability on sections). Inside the Activation Area, the city has planned trunk roads and utilities designed to handle industrial traffic from day one. Takeaway: Expect a four/six-lane expressway backbone plus strengthened regional links; upgrades roll out in phases. (This keeps your page accurate and avoids over-claiming.)
Metro/Monorail plans
The state approved the draft DPR for an MRTS/Monorail-type line between Ahmedabad and Dholera SIR (≈Rs 6,000 crore). Final technology and funding will shape what gets built. DICDL’s official note: the MRTS runs in the same corridor as the expressway—smart land use and easy interchanges.
What “all-round” connectivity means for investors
Speed
Airport + Expressway + DFC means shorter door-to-port times for imports/exports.
Reliability
Multiple modes (road, rail, air, sea) = fewer bottlenecks when one mode is disrupted.
Talent access
Fast corridor to Ahmedabad widens the hiring pool while keeping commute practical.
Scale-up ready
DMIC funding of trunk infra + common Expressway–MRTS corridor makes it easier to expand without re-laying basics.
Rail: New lines that anchor Dholera to the network
Bhimnath–Dholera Broad Gauge Line (~23.3 km): Approved by NICDIT; appears on environment/forest clearances platforms as a new rail line connecting Dholera to the existing network near Bhimnath. This is the first, foundational Dholera rail link.
Bhavnagar–Dholera Broad Gauge Line (~65 km): Union government approved FLS (Aug 2025)—a major step for passenger & freight access from the coastal city and port.
Investor note: Rail + DFC + Expressway convergence is what makes factory siting in Dholera compelling.
Metro/MRTS & Monorail: the regional rapid line
MRTS plan: DICDL states an MRTS (Metro) in the same corridor as the Dholera Ahmedabad expressway to provide seamless Ahmedabad–Dholera movement. DPR prepared and in-principle state approval reported; central funding and contracts are yet to be approved.
Monorail history: In 2021 the state cleared a monorail-type MRTS concept; subsequent planning references increasingly describe the corridor as MRTS/Metro. Expect final technology, alignment, and phasing to follow funding and tender milestones.
This corridor is designed to be the **backbone of regional rapid transit**, aligning seamlessly with the expressway for maximum efficiency.
