Dholera Smart City Utility Ducts: DICDL Underground Infrastructure Plan

Dholera SIR is the first greenfield city in India built on a “utilities-first” model, where road excavation is completely eliminated. Through DICDL’s smart city planning, all trunk infrastructure—including potable water, recycled water, power lines, sewage channels, and fiber optic cables—runs inside dedicated underground concrete utility ducts built beneath the pedestrian walkways of all major roads (ranging from 12-meter to 55-meter and 70-meter roads). This design ensures zero road digging for maintenance and provides a clean city landscape free of overhead cables.


1. The DICDL Underground Utility Duct Model

In traditional Indian cities, utilities are laid directly under roads, leading to constant digging, traffic disruptions, and cable damage during repairs. Dholera SIR solves this by placing utility corridors underneath the paved footpath areas beside the main carriage avenues.

  • Dedicated Concrete Ducts: Pre-cast concrete compartments run continuously throughout the road networks.
  • Accessibility: Removable pre-cast concrete covers allow technicians to perform regular inspections, repairs, and network upgrades without breaking pavements or obstructing vehicular traffic.
  • Aesthetic Integration: With 100% of power, telecommunications, and gas lines routed underground, the city maintains a clean skyline completely devoid of hanging wires or utility poles.

2. Layout and Compartmentalization of Services

To ensure safety, water lines and power cables are strictly separated into isolated compartments within the utility trench. The table below details the routing specifications:

Utility CategoryDuct CompartmentConduit MaterialAccessibility / Management
**Potable Water**Separate water ductHigh-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)Managed via smart flow meters with leak detection
**Recycled Water**Secondary water ductDuctile Iron (DI)Dedicated supply for industrial cooling & horticulture
**Sewerage & Waste**Lower gravity ductReinforced Concrete Pipe (NP3)Integrated with smart sensors monitoring flow blocks
**Power Distribution**Dry electrical ductPVC Pipe conduitsDual cables (high-voltage and low-voltage)
**ICT & Telecom**Fiber optic ductMulti-duct HDPE conduitsIntegrated with the ABCD Central Command Center
**Gas Pipelines**Top exterior ductPolyethylene (PE) / SteelDedicated kitchen & industrial fuel piping

3. Key Benefits for Investors and Businesses

For industrial operations and residential townships in Dholera SIR, this smart utility network offers significant advantages:

  • Zero Service Interruptions: Fiber optic cables and power grids are insulated from weather hazards (monsoons, high winds) and excavation accidents.
  • Recycled Water Savings: By separating recycled water from potable water, industries receive high-quality treated wastewater at lower rates, lowering overall operating costs.
  • Smart Grid Ready: Built-in sensor channels allow utility providers to pinpoint leaks, gas pressure drops, or electrical faults instantly, dispatching technicians before an outage occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

#### Are there overhead wires in Dholera Smart City?

No. All electrical transmission networks (including high-tension lines and low-voltage domestic lines) are routed underground through concrete utility ducts, ensuring a clutter-free, modern aesthetic.

#### What is the benefit of Dholera’s utility duct system?

The system prevents road excavation. Technicians can access and repair any service line (power, water, fiber) by opening specific access chambers on the footpaths, ensuring road surfaces remain intact.

#### How is water supply managed in Dholera SIR?

Dholera features two distinct supply lines: one for potable (drinking) water and another for recycled water. Both run inside separate compartments of the utility duct and are monitored by smart meters.


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