Dholera Smart City is once again at the center of Gujarat’s ambitious growth journey as the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, intensifies efforts to bring balanced regional development through the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC). The conference, launched with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is designed to highlight the industrial strengths, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities of Gujarat’s diverse regions, while also showcasing future-ready projects such as Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), GIFT City, Greenfield Ports, renewable energy parks, and more.
On September 4, 2025, in New Delhi, CM Patel interacted with leading industrialists and representatives of major organizations, emphasizing how Gujarat’s journey of industrialization is moving into a new phase powered by mega projects and regional aspirations.
Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference: A Model of Balanced Development
CM Patel explained that the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) will act as a platform to connect investors directly with regional ecosystems, ensuring that development is not limited to big cities but spread across North Gujarat, South Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Central Gujarat.
The theme of the event, “Regional Aspirations: Global Ambitions”, resonates strongly with the Prime Minister’s call for “Vocal for Local and Local for Global”. By integrating small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and local industries into the global supply chain, the conference is expected to unlock new investment opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities as well.
Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Joshi described VGRC as Gujarat’s model of inclusive growth that will ensure equal opportunities for all sectors and regions.
Dholera Smart City: Gujarat’s Futuristic Mega Project
Among Gujarat’s most significant initiatives, Dholera Smart City stands out as a futuristic industrial hub designed to transform India’s global competitiveness. Situated within the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), the project is being developed as one of the country’s first greenfield smart cities, equipped with world-class infrastructure, high-speed connectivity, sustainable urban planning, and global manufacturing capabilities.
CM Patel highlighted that mega projects such as Dholera Smart City, GIFT City, SEMICON, Bulk Drug Park, and Agro Food Park will drive Gujarat’s next development phase. These projects will not only boost foreign direct investment but also create thousands of jobs, promote technology transfer, and contribute to the vision of building a $3.5 trillion Indian economy by 2047.
Gujarat’s Strengths That Attract Global Investors
Shri Patel reminded industry leaders that the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, initiated in 2003 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proved to be a turning point in India’s investment landscape. Over the last two decades, Gujarat has evolved into the country’s most industrialized and urbanized state.
Some of the state’s unique strengths include:
| Strength | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategic Location | Proximity to international trade routes and ports |
| Ease of Doing Business | Ranked top in Business Reform Action Plan |
| Single-Window Clearance | 2017 Act ensures timely approvals |
| Sunrise Sectors | Semiconductors, green hydrogen, aerospace, renewable energy |
| Mega Projects | Dholera Smart City, GIFT City, SEMICON, Green Energy hubs |
| Skilled Workforce | Strong technical and industrial training institutes |
| MSME Ecosystem | Thriving network of local entrepreneurs and allied industries |
These factors, coupled with Gujarat’s transparent policies, have made the state the first choice for global investors across sectors ranging from heavy industries to cutting-edge technology.
Regional Focus: Unlocking Untapped Potential
The CM pointed out that certain regions of Gujarat already contribute more to industrial output than many full-fledged states of India. By hosting Regional Conferences, the state aims to:
- Promote sector-specific investments across different zones.
- Develop new industrial clusters and parks.
- Provide a global stage for regional products through exhibitions and trade shows.
- Strengthen MSMEs by integrating them with global investors.
- Build world-class infrastructure including logistics, ports, highways, and smart cities.
The first Regional Conference is scheduled in North Gujarat on October 9–10, with subsequent events to be held in South Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Central Gujarat.
The Role of Dholera Smart City in India’s Economic Transformation
Dholera Smart City is not just a project—it is a vision for the future of India’s urban and industrial development. Positioned along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), it will serve as a global manufacturing and business hub with advanced features like:
- 100% smart infrastructure with underground utilities, smart grids, and ICT integration.
- Green and sustainable design, powered by renewable energy and smart water management.
- International connectivity, including expressways, high-speed rail, and ports.
- High-tech industries, focusing on semiconductors, aerospace, defence manufacturing, EVs, and green energy.
- Employment opportunities, with an estimated 8–10 lakh jobs in the coming decades.
By merging modern technology with sustainable development, Dholera Smart City will set an example for future urban planning across the world.
National and Global Appreciation
Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, Government of India, praised Gujarat for launching VGRC and emphasized how it will benefit smaller towns and cities by encouraging start-ups and new industries. He pointed out that Gujarat’s model could inspire other states to adopt similar approaches.
Industry leaders, including FICCI President Shri Harsha Vardhan Agarwal and Hester Biosciences MD Shri Rajiv Gandhi, also expressed confidence that initiatives like Dholera Smart City and VGRC would shape India’s industrial future.
Read also: When will Dholera International Airport be ready, know complete information in this article
Gujarat’s Vision for 2047: Viksit Bharat
Both CM Patel and Chief Secretary Joshi underlined Gujarat’s commitment to contributing significantly to the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. With futuristic projects like Dholera Smart City and strong policy frameworks, Gujarat is positioned to lead India’s industrial and economic journey over the next two decades.
The state’s consistent focus on balanced growth, ease of doing business, and future-ready mega projects makes it a powerhouse of opportunity for both domestic and global investors.
Read also: Dholera Smart City: India’s First Greenfield Smart City and its International Airport
Conclusion
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is more than just a business meet—it is a roadmap to inclusive, region-specific, and globally competitive growth. Within this framework, Dholera Smart City plays a crucial role as a landmark project that will redefine India’s industrial capabilities and urban landscape.
As Gujarat moves toward its ambitious goals, the synergy of local entrepreneurship, global investments, and mega projects like Dholera Smart City ensures that the state will remain at the forefront of India’s growth story.
