₹20,667 crore railway corridor to improve connectivity to Dholera SIR, upcoming airport and Lothal Maritime Heritage Complex

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India’s first semi high-speed railway project connecting Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) and Dholera in Gujarat.

The ambitious double-line railway corridor, estimated at ₹20,667 crore, is expected to be completed by 2030-31 and will add around 134 kilometres to the existing Indian Railways network.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the project will be developed using indigenously built technology and is expected to become a model for future semi high-speed rail corridors across India.

Key Highlights

• Cabinet approves Ahmedabad–Dholera semi high-speed rail project
• Total project cost estimated at ₹20,667 crore
• India’s first semi high-speed railway corridor
• 134 km double-line rail network planned in Gujarat
• Faster access to Dholera SIR, Dholera Airport and Lothal NHMC
• Project expected to be completed by 2030-31
• Connectivity benefits projected for 284 villages

Faster Connectivity Between Ahmedabad and Dholera

The new semi high-speed rail corridor will connect Ahmedabad with the upcoming Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), significantly reducing travel time and improving daily mobility between the two locations.

The railway line will also improve connectivity to:

• Dholera Special Investment Region
• Dholera International Airport
• Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex

Officials said the project will support comfortable daily commuting and enable same-day business and leisure travel between Ahmedabad and the rapidly developing Dholera region.

Boost for Tourism, Hospitality and Business Travel

The improved rail infrastructure is expected to support tourism and hospitality growth in Gujarat by enhancing accessibility to key heritage, industrial and infrastructure destinations.

The planned connectivity to Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex could particularly strengthen cultural tourism and educational travel once the project becomes operational.

Improved transit to Dholera and Ahmedabad may also benefit:

• Business hotels
• Convention and exhibition travel
• Airport-linked hospitality
• Weekend tourism and short-stay travel

The corridor is expected to attract both corporate and leisure travellers as Dholera evolves into a major smart city and industrial hub.

First-of-Its-Kind Semi High-Speed Rail Model

Indian Railways described the Ahmedabad–Dholera corridor as a pioneering project that will act as a benchmark for future semi high-speed rail expansion in India.

The project is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and aims to improve multi-modal transportation, logistics efficiency and regional connectivity.

According to the Ministry, the corridor will support seamless movement of passengers, goods and services while improving operational efficiency and service reliability.

Regional Development and Sustainability Impact

The project is expected to improve connectivity for approximately 284 villages with a combined population of around five lakh people.

Indian Railways said the project will also contribute towards India’s environmental goals by encouraging energy-efficient rail transport over road-based mobility.

The Ministry estimates the corridor could:

• Reduce oil imports by around 0.48 crore litres
• Lower CO2 emissions by nearly 2 crore kilograms annually
• Deliver environmental benefits equivalent to planting 10 lakh trees

The project marks another major infrastructure push in Gujarat as India continues expanding its next-generation railway network focused on faster travel, regional development and sustainable mobility.