Infrastructure Event
Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates 109 km Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway; Marks Major Milestone for Gujarat Industrial Hub
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway on 31 March 2026. The 109 km, four-lane expressway (expandable to eight lanes) connects Sardar Patel Ring Road near Sarkhej in Ahmedabad with Adhelai village in Bhavnagar district via Dholera Special Investment Region.
| Length | 109 km (68 miles) |
|---|---|
| Design standard | Four-lane access-controlled expressway, expandable to eight lanes |
| Construction cost | About ₹3,196 crore (excluding land acquisition) |
| Route | Begins at Sardar Patel Ring Road near Sarkhej in Ahmedabad, passes through DSIR, ends at Adhelai village in Bhavnagar district |
| Airport connectivity | Proposed Dholera International Airport near Navagam, about 20 km from Dholera SIR, lies in the route |
| Construction packages | Work divided into four packages by NHAI |
| Expected travel time reduction | Approximately 45–55 minutes, from over two hours on conventional roads |
| Corridor status | Part of Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) |
| Inauguration date | 31 March 2026 |
| Lead contractor (packages 1 & 2) | Sadbhav Engineering |
What Happened
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 109 km Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway on 31 March 2026. Though operational on a trial basis for the past few months, the expressway was officially opened to the public. The event was part of a broader infrastructure push by the Prime Minister in Gujarat, who launched and inaugurated several development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in various cities and districts of the state.
The Corridor's Route and Design
The expressway is a 109 km, four-lane wide (expandable to eight) access-controlled expressway that connects Sardar Patel Ring Road near Sarkhej in Ahmedabad with Adhelai village in Bhavnagar district via Dholera Special Investment Region. Key interchanges along the route include Sarkhej, Sindhrej (around km 22), Vejalaka (around km 48), and Pipli near the Dholera International Airport, which is connected via a 9.56 km link road. The Ambli interchange provides direct access to Dholera SIR.
Construction Details and Cost
The NHAI divided the construction work into four packages, with a total construction cost of about ₹3,196 crores (excluding land). Package 1 cost ₹1,298 crore, Package 2 cost ₹1,415 crore, Package 3 cost ₹1,034 crore, and Package 4 cost ₹1,358 crore. Tenders were awarded in August 2020 in EPC mode to Sadbhav Engineering (Package 1 and 2), GHV India Pvt Ltd (Package 3), and other contractors.
Industrial Corridor Significance
The Ahmedabad–Dholera expressway is part of the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). This expressway will improve regional connectivity, promote industrial development in the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), and accelerate economic growth. Dholera SIR is spread over more than 920 km² and is being jointly developed by the Government of India and Gujarat. It is strategically located and falls in the influence zone of the DMIC project, a joint initiative between the Government of India and Japan.
Benefits and Impact
Travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera via the expressway can be covered in approximately 45–55 minutes, compared to 2–3 hours on conventional roads. The expressway is expected to ease traffic pressure on existing highways while offering a dedicated high-speed alternative for cargo and passenger movement. Additionally, the route enhances accessibility to planned infrastructure such as Dholera International Airport and nearby seaports, which will play a crucial role in supporting export-oriented industries. The expressway provides connectivity to the upcoming Dholera International Airport near Navagam, located about 20 km from DSIR.
Next Steps
With the expressway now operational as of March 31, 2026, focus shifts to integrating it with complementary infrastructure. Dholera Airport will be connected to Ahmedabad through the now-complete expressway and a semi high-speed rail line. Vedanta Group is in talks with three partners for setting up a semiconductor and display fab in Dholera SIR, with a proposed $5 billion investment for the first phase. Dholera SIR Phase 1 (22.5 sq km) is 80–90% complete, with key infrastructure like the expressway and airport runway on track, while full completion is slated for 2040–2042.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway and why is it important?
It is a 109 km, four-lane expressway connecting Sardar Patel Ring Road in Ahmedabad with Adhelai village in Bhavnagar district via Dholera Special Investment Region. It improves regional connectivity, promotes industrial development in DSIR, and accelerates economic growth.
How much was spent on building this expressway?
Total construction cost was about ₹3,196 crore, excluding land acquisition.
How much time will it save travelers?
Travel time will be reduced to approximately 45–55 minutes from over 2 hours on conventional routes.
How is this expressway connected to the Dholera International Airport?
The proposed Dholera International Airport near Navagam, about 20 km from Dholera SIR, lies in the expressway route. An interchange at Pipli near the airport is connected via a 9.56 km link road.
What is the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) connection?
The expressway is part of the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). In Gujarat, the DMIC project focuses on Dholera SIR and covers about 62% of the state's total area.
What major industries are expected in Dholera SIR as a result?
Sectors identified with high potential include Defence, Aviation, Electronics, High-Tech Emerging Technologies, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Heavy Engineering, Auto & Auto Ancillary, and General Manufacturing.
When will the full Dholera SIR development be complete?
Phase 1 (22.5 sq km) is 80–90% complete, while full completion of Dholera SIR is slated for 2040–2042.
Sources
- Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway - Wikipedia
- PM Modi to Inaugurate Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway Built at ₹5,100 Crore - DeshGujarat
- PM Modi Inaugurates Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway; ₹20,000 Cr Projects Launched in Gujarat - BookMyAssets
- Dholera Special Investment Region - Wikipedia
- Dholera SIR - About Us - DICDL
- Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway Route, Map, Cost & Latest Updates - BookMyAssets