Gujarat is set to develop Dholera into the world’s largest data centre city, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi during the launch of the ‘Viksit Gujarat – Data Centre Policy 2026-29’. Sanghavi highlighted Dholera’s existing infrastructure readiness for large-scale data center projects, emphasizing the state’s focus on digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and investor support.
Sanghavi expressed confidence in Dholera’s potential, stating that it is poised to become the global leader in data center capacity. He attributed Gujarat’s appeal to its stable policies, reliable power supply, and strategic water management for industries and data centers.
The policy mandates data centers to procure 51% of their electricity from green sources, promoting sustainability. Sanghavi underscored the state’s commitment to water conservation through desalination to alleviate freshwater stress, ensuring a balance between industrial needs and environmental concerns.
In a bid to streamline investment processes, Sanghavi announced plans for a stakeholder consultation to facilitate land allocation and designated officers for investor assistance. Beyond data centers, Dholera is envisioned as a hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), aligning with the state’s vision for comprehensive industrial growth.
Supporting infrastructure developments, such as the forthcoming Dholera Airport and a proposed semi-high-speed rail link from Ahmedabad, are progressing alongside industrial expansion. The policy, with an initial capacity of 7.5 GW, has already attracted significant investor interest, surpassing the current capacity with requests from domestic and international companies.
The ‘Viksit Gujarat – Data Centre Policy 2026-29’ aims to attract investments in hyperscale data centers and AI technologies through incentives, renewable energy mandates, and infrastructure enhancements, positioning Dholera as Gujarat’s primary center for future data center expansion.
