Sarkhej–Dholera semi high-speed rail goes to tender, targets 2030 operations
Western Railway has invited bids for the ₹18,901.68 crore EPC contract for the Sarkhej–Dholera semi high-speed double line. Construction is expected to start early next year, with operations targeted for 2030.
Sep 09, 20263 min read
Photo: Vande Bharat Express at Ahmedabad Junction, representative. Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Sarkhej–Dholera semi high-speed double rail line has moved a major step closer to reality. Western Railway has invited bids for the project's engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract, valued at ₹18,901.68 crore.
Timeline
Officials expect construction to begin early next year. The work is targeted for completion within 42 months of the final contract being awarded, putting operations on course for 2030.
More than 20 firms took part in a pre-bid meeting with railway officials, and the final tender is likely to be awarded by the end of this year.
The route
The double-track line will connect Sarkhej in Ahmedabad with Dholera, creating a faster rail link between the city and one of Gujarat's most important emerging industrial and investment hubs. According to sources, the line will run parallel to the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway.
The project also includes spur connectivity to the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex and the upcoming Dholera International Airport.
Planned infrastructure includes:
11 stations, including the international airport and Lothal
3 major bridges and viaducts
39 road under bridges (RUBs)
2 rail-over-rail bridges
Metro integration
The line is also expected to integrate with the Ahmedabad metro network, with connectivity planned towards the metro corridor from Shilaj.
In August, the Public Investment Board approved the Metro Phase III extension of the proposed Thaltej Gam–Sanathal corridor up to Badrabad. Officials said the extension aligns with the state's plans to bring the metro closer to the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway. The corridor will originate from the Shilaj Canal Road area and run parallel to Sardar Patel Ring Road, passing through Bopal Crossroads and Shantipura Crossroads before reaching Badrabad.
Why it matters for Dholera
Faster, more reliable connectivity is expected to benefit workers commuting to Dholera SIR, businesses operating in the industrial region, and logistics tied to the area's upcoming manufacturing and infrastructure projects.
The link is likely to become particularly significant once Dholera International Airport is operational, while the Lothal spur could improve access to the National Maritime Heritage Complex and strengthen tourism connectivity.
