The turnaround can be attributed to investor friendly policy, akin to the one that the Government of India took in 1991 with the New Economic Policy. The several steps that Telangana took includes: speedy clearance aided by a single window, 100 per cent refund on VAT and GST, refund on stamp duty, exemption from Land Ceiling Act, exemption from electricity wheeling charges and not running around to get approval from the State Pollution Control Board.
The most visible area of the state’s renewable energy push has been in public transport system. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) for instance teamed up with TSREDCO to install solar rooftop systems on the bus stations, bus depots and workshops. In all, 97 bus depots and 364 bus stations have been covered and the savings are over Rs 2 crore per annum. What is more! It resulted in reduction in carbon emissions by 7,300 tonnes a year.
IndiGlobal Bureau
The Dholera Industrial Smart City has started allocating land for industries and land parcels ranging from one acre to 330 acres and more are being allotted. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, overseeing Progress and Infrastructure in Gujarat, visited the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) as part of preparations for the upcoming 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2024.
Dholera Industrial Smart City is 100 km from Ahmedabad and is strategically located and would benefit Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), with 38% of the DFC traversing Gujarat over a distance of 565 kilometers.
Dholera’s 4,400 MW solar park, developed by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) under the PPP model, stands as a transformative initiative. This project aligns with the national goal of achieving 250 GW of green energy by 2030. Furthermore, DSIR’s strategic location ensures excellent connectivity. A four-lane expressway connecting Dholera to Ahmedabad is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2024.
Dholera Special Investment Region is set to propel India’s semiconductor and display industry with a dedicated “semicon city.” Key players like ReNew Power, Tata Chemicals Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd, and Torrent Power are contributing to the city’s development through various projects, ranging from renewable energy parks to manufacturing plants.
Additionally, a planned metro rail system and a multi-modal transport system, including a regional goods corridor, public transport corridor, internal transport, Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), and Mass Rapid Transport (MRT), are in the pipeline.
Solar Park and Coastal Regulation Zone Recognizing the potential of renewable energy, more than 8,500 hectares of land in the Coastal Regulation Zone of DSIR have been earmarked for the development of a Solar Park. This initiative underscores the commitment to sustainable development and clean energy.
Dholera Industrial Smart City is poised to attract investments and the Gujarat Government is keen on showcasing the Smart City at the upcoming 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2024.