Gandhinagar: Chief minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday visited Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) and reviewed the progress of key industrial, social and connectivity projects at the smart industrial city.An official statement said that Patel reviewed the progress of work of Tata Electronics’ semiconductor fabrication facility, as the state steps up efforts to develop the planned industrial hub into a global centre for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The visit is part of a new approach adopted by the chief minister to assess the progress of flagship projects through on-site inspections, an official statement said.The social infrastructure under development in Dholera’s activation area includes a 200-bed multi-speciality hospital, an integrated school, a fire station, a 42-room guesthouse, a food court with a capacity of 600 people, a 50-tent tent city, a hotel, and residential and commercial projects.The chief minister also reviewed green development initiatives spread across 53 hectares, where more than 1.1 lakh saplings are being planted in collaboration with the forest department and Sadbhavna Trust. He assessed the use of the ‘drum plantation’ technique, aimed at improving sapling survival rates, and appreciated efforts to balance industrial development with environmental sustainability.The statement said Tata Electronics’ semiconductor fabrication facility is expected to anchor Dholera’s semiconductor ecosystem, supporting chip manufacturing, ancillary industries, technology companies and skilled employment. The chief minister reviewed construction progress at the site.The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway has become operational, while Dholera international airport is expected to become operational by the end of 2026 following the successful landing of a calibration flight, according to the state govt.Rail connectivity plans include a 23-km Bhimnath-Dholera Logistics Hub new line and a proposed 134-km Ahmedabad-Dholera semi-high-speed double-line rail project, approved at an estimated cost of Rs 20,667 crore.
