Gandhinagar, Tuesday: The Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) at its review meeting here today decided to development Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) as a global model for urban and economic development.
Gujarat's preparations for the Dholera SIR on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) have come in praise from the Government of India, too. The SIR has all the potentials to be developed as a model for construction as well as management in town planning
GIDB was the first entity in the country to enact an SIR Act in 2009, as the state has issued notification for developing four more SIRs at PCPIR-Dahej Halol-Savli, Aliabet and Santalpur. GIDB will be the apex authority to develop the SIRs.
The highlights of the Dholera SIR are 110-km long Ahmedabad-Dholera expressway, a new international airport, as it is sure to set world record in modern town planning and economic developments.
Twenty-two villages falling under 903 sq km of its brackish water area, falling under Dholera SIR are to be transported. Several private investors signed 20 MoUs for setting up projects in the SIR during Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit during 2009 and 2011.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need to set up a global model for optimum utilization of water and other natural resources in the development of the SIR.
Looking to the Dholera SIR alone creating jobs for eight lakh people, he said, efforts should be made to take care of human resources and management. Its growth would develop the neighboring areas beyond Bhavnagar and Pipavav, he said.
Other related projects included desalination plant, solar power plant on Narmada Canal on PPP model and Ro-Ro ferry service between Dahej and Ghogha by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).
Today's GIDB meeting was attended by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, Revenue Minister Anandiben PAtel, Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel, Minister of State for Energy Saurabh Patel and Chief Secretary A.K. Joti, among others. GIDB CEO A.K. Sharma presented details plans of Dholera SIR.
