Dholera SIR Draws Global Investors, NRIs as India鈥檚 Semiconductor Hub

17 Mar 2025 CW Team

Dholera SIR, India鈥檚 first planned smart city, is witnessing a surge in investor interest, particularly from NRIs in the USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This momentum is fuelled by Dholera鈥檚 emergence as India鈥檚 semiconductor hub, with four of the five upcoming semiconductor plants being built in the region.

Lalit Parihar, MD, Aaiji Group, noted a sharp rise in international investor visits and land inquiries over the past year, calling it unprecedented. The Gujarat government has allocated Rs 2 billion (bn) for an integrated township and Rs 1 bn for the Gujarat Institute of Technology (GIT) to support the region鈥檚 growth in green energy,聽

semiconductors, fintech, and aerospace.

Key infrastructure projects, including the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, Bhimnath-Dholera rail line, and an international cargo airport, are set to boost connectivity. With over 100 companies, including Tata Electronics鈥� Rs 910 bn semiconductor project, Dholera is poised to lead Gujarat鈥檚 next industrial revolution.

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jun 2025

MoHUA Plans New Role for Smart City SPVs

In a significant policy move, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued an advisory encouraging the continued use and repurposing of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). This marks a step toward sustaining urban transformation by leveraging institutional capabilities and infrastructure developed over the past decade.Initiated in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission introduced a new era of urban planning in India, with each of the 100 selected cities forming SPVs under the Companies Act, 2013. These entities, jointly owned by state government..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jun 2025

ADB Approves $110 Million Loan to Boost Skills in Gujarat

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 109.97 million (Rs 9.27 billion) results-based loan to support Gujarat鈥檚 efforts to become a global industrial hub by developing a future-ready, skilled workforce.The funding will back the Gujarat skills development programme, led by the Department of Labour, Skill Development and Employment in collaboration with Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU). The initiative aims to equip the workforce with advanced, industry-aligned skills to meet rising employment demand in high-growth sectors.According to ADB, the programme seeks to strengthen in..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jun 2025

SDAL Tests Rudrastra UAV and Bhargavastra Defence System

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully completed a key flight test of its indigenous Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range, aligning with Indian Army performance benchmarks for mission adaptability, high endurance, precision engagement, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.The trial marks a notable achievement in India鈥檚 Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, underscoring advancements in home-grown military technology. The Rudrastra UAV demonstrated a mission radius exceeding 50 km with uninterrupted video relay, a total operational range of over..