Western Railway issued an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tender worth ₹18,901.68 crore for a semi-high-speed rail corridor linking Sarkhej on Ahmedabad's western outskirts with the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). The project follows Cabinet clearance earlier in 2026 and will move to the contracting phase for heavy construction across Gujarat.

The corridor will handle both passenger and freight traffic, aiming to improve regional mobility as Dholera develops into a major manufacturing and industrial hub. It connects to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and strengthens logistics and commuter channels between Ahmedabad and Dholera smart city.

Other concurrent infrastructure projects include the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway (NH-751) and Dholera International Airport development alongside industrial zones. The EPC tender marks a shift from administrative approvals to ground-level execution, with construction and commissioning expected across a multi-year timeline.

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.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and local authorities conducted a demolition drive in Sarkhej on Tuesday, July 8, under heavy police deployment. Four dargahs and one temple, constructed on government land, were demolished. Trees obstructing the road were also cut. The demolition was part of clearing illegal structures along highways and main roads obstructing the Sarkhej highway expansion. The operation was supervised by civic and NHAI officials and conducted to clear land for a six-lane flyover project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already inaugurated the upcoming Rs 1200 crore flyover project, which will connect Sarkhej to Narol. The 10.63 km bridge is estimated for completion by 2027. The project includes a six-lane elevated corridor and five at-grade roads on both sides from Vishala to Sarkhej, totalling 16 lanes. The bridge aims to reduce traffic congestion on the national highway from Vishala to Sarkhej caused by local traffic.

Ahmedabad received an average 88mm of rain by 8pm Monday, while rainfall in the 24 hours ending 6am was 43mm; the seasonal tally reached 82%. More than 100 locations reported knee-deep water, generating 64 waterlogging complaints. Flooded areas included Sindhu Bhavan Road, Judges Bungalow Road, SG Highway Service Road, 132 Feet Ring Road, Vastrapur Lake-to-Himalaya Mall stretch and Helmet Circle. Rainfall totals included Sarkhej 144mm, Vatva 143mm, Bopal 135mm, Jodhpur 123mm, Bodakdev and Dudheshwar 119mm each, and Maninagar 101mm. AMC received 23 complaints about fallen trees and two about dangerous structures. Of 89 complaints, 34 were addressed and work on the others began. Underpasses were shut, pumps deployed and Vasna barrage gates opened.

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.