Ahmedabad: Western Railway inviting bids for Rs 18,901.68-crore engineering, procurement and construction project. Expected operational by 2030; construction likely to begin early next year, targeted for completion within 42 months after contract award. Pre-bid meeting held with over 20 firms participating. Final tender likely awarded by end of year. Double-track semi-high-speed line connects Sarkhej in Ahmedabad with Dholera, creating faster rail link to Gujarat's emerging industrial and investment hub. Project includes spur connectivity to Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex and upcoming Dholera International Airport.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved ₹20,667 crore Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project. The 134-km project, India's first semi-high-speed project with indigenous technology, will reduce travel time from Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) to Dholera to 48 minutes.

Project scope: provides connectivity to Dholera SIR (Special Investment Region), upcoming Dholera Airport, and Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex; will enhance connectivity to approximately 284 villages with population of about 5 lakh; increases existing Indian Railways network by about 134 km in Ahmedabad district.

Benefits: enables seamless daily commutes and same-day return trips; will serve as reference model for phased expansion of semi-high-speed rail across India; aligns with PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency.

Environmental impact: reduces oil import (0.48 crore litres) and CO2 emissions (2 crore kg), equivalent to planting 10 lakh trees.

Shyam Serene is a residential plotting project by Shyam Group in Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), strategically positioned near Dholera International Airport, Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, and Lothal port. Plot sizes: 100 to 570 sq. yards with clear titles and NOCs. Shyam Group has also developed Dholera's first RERA-approved commercial complex.

Dholera SIR infrastructure includes 6-lane expressway, Sewage Treatment Plant, 24x7 power from Tata and Torrent substations, and Asia's largest solar park. By 2026, Tata Semiconductor Plant, ReNew Power projects, and high-speed rail links are accelerating industrial growth.

Shyam Serene amenities: gated layouts, jogging tracks, children's play areas, senior citizen parks, gazebos, gardens, seismically safe zone. Located near government offices, metro rail, and trade centers.

Shyam Group has developed over 12.33 lakh sq. ft. in Dholera since 2013, with 11.00 lakh sq. ft. under development. Plans to deliver 15 lakh sq. ft. by 2030. Developing 3 residential plotted projects at Dholera SIR: Dholera Global City and Smart City.

Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) near Ahmedabad is emerging as a hub for India's next-generation industries, driven by its scale, planning and fast-paced development.

On May 13, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Indian Railways' first semi-high-speed corridor: a 134-km double-line rail project between Sarkhej (Ahmedabad) and Dholera at an estimated cost of around Rs 20,667 crore.

Design speed 220 kmph, operational speed 200 kmph. Uses 1676 mm broad gauge, same as conventional Indian Railways.

Per-kilometre construction costs:

• Conventional 160 kmph railway: Rs 50 crore per km
• Ahmedabad-Dholera semi high-speed: Rs 154 crore per km
• Delhi-Meerut RRTS (1435 mm standard gauge, 180 kmph design, 160 kmph operational): Rs 336 crore per km
• Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (1435 mm standard gauge, 350 kmph design, 320 kmph operational): Rs 358 crore per km

Ahmedabad-Dholera corridor costs less than half Delhi-Meerut RRTS because it avoids tunnels, uses indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system (Rs 4.53 crore per km versus European ETCS Level-II at Rs 17.74 crore per km), and has lower land acquisition costs.

Approximately 71 km of the 134-km corridor will be built on viaducts. Uses 1676 mm broad gauge.