AECOM is an American company that works on building and managing large infrastructure projects. This means they help design and manage the construction of cities, roads, airports, metros, and more.
AECOM has worked in many countries and has helped build smart cities and modern towns in places like:
- Dubai
- London
- Hong Kong
- Australia
- USA
Because of their global experience, the Gujarat Government and Dholera Industrial City Development Ltd. (DICDL) selected AECOM to manage and guide the construction work in Dholera Smart City.
What Is AECOM Doing in Dholera Smart City?
AECOM is working as the Project Management Consultant for Dholera Smart City. That means AECOM is not doing the physical construction themselves, but they are:
- Managing everything
- Creating detailed plans
- Supervising contractors
- Checking quality
- Reporting progress
- Making sure the city is built correctly
Let’s understand their work step by step.
Converting Master Plan Into Real Action
Before AECOM came in, the master plan of Dholera was created by Halcrow, a UK-based company. That plan had a big vision for how the city would look — zones for homes, industries, IT parks, green areas, etc.
But AECOM’s job is to take that big plan and break it down into detailed engineering — like:
- Where the roads will go
- How wide each road should be
- Where to lay water pipes
- How to install electric lines
- How to set up the drainage system
So AECOM helps turn the city from paper drawings into reali
Planning the Activation Area
The Dholera project is being built in phases. The first phase is called the Activation Area, which is about 22.5 square kilometers in Town Planning Scheme 2 (TP2).
In this area, AECOM has:
- Designed all the roads
- Planned underground electric and water lines
- Created spaces for industries, homes, and shops
- Ensured space for future metro lines and smart buses
- Managed contractors like L&T and Tata Projects during construction
This area is like a sample city to show how the full Dholera Smart City will be built.
Smart City Infrastructure Planning
Since Dholera is a smart city, normal infrastructure is not enough. AECOM is also helping to design and manage smart features like:
- Underground Utility Ducts : All cables and pipelines (electric, water, gas, internet) are placed underground to make the city look clean and modern.
- Optical Fiber Network : This will help provide high-speed internet and digital services to every house and business
- Command and Control Center : A high-tech center that will monitor traffic, electricity, water, CCTV, and public safety in real time.
- Smart Traffic and Street Lights : Lights and signals that adjust based on traffic and sunlight, saving energy and reducing jams.
- Stormwater and Drainage Management : To prevent waterlogging during heavy rains, AECOM planned smart drainage systems.
Managing Contractors and Work Progress
Construction is being done by companies like:
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) – building roads and infrastructure
- Tata Projects – handling water, power, and electric systems
- Wipro – developing smart city technologies and ICT systems
AECOM’s job is to:
- Guide these companies
- Check the quality of work
- Make sure deadlines are met
- Solve problems quickly
- Report updates to the government and DICDL
Without this management, the project could face delays or low-quality work. AECOM keeps everything on track.
Sustainable and Green City Planning
AECOM is also making sure Dholera becomes an eco-friendly smart city. Their plan includes:
- Solar power systems for street lights and public buildings
- Rainwater harvesting to recharge groundwater
- Green zones and parks to maintain fresh air
- Non-motorized transport like cycle tracks and walkways
- EV charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
This will help Dholera become a clean, green, and healthy city for the future.
Why AECOM’s Role Is Very Important in Dholera
Let’s understand why AECOM is so important for the success of Dholera Smart City:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Experience | AECOM has worked on smart cities around the world. |
| Planning | They convert the big vision into real construction steps. |
| Quality Control | They make sure everything is built properly and safely. |
| Time Management | They track deadlines and avoid project delays. |
| Smart Solutions | They help Dholera become a truly digital and smart city. |
Final Words
Dholera Smart City is a once-in-a-lifetime project for India — a city built from zero, planned with smart features, clean energy, and world-class infrastructure. But a big project like this cannot succeed without proper planning and management. That’s why AECOM’s role in Dholera is so important. They are making sure that the city is not just built fast, but also built with quality, safety, smartness, and sustainability. Thanks to AECOM, Dholera is on its way to becoming one of the most advanced smart cities not only in India, but in the entire world.
