Gujarat builds semiconductor-focused policing grid for Sanand and Dholera

Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat told HT that security planning is aligned with the scale and nature of semiconductor manufacturing in the region.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi said significant investments have come to Sanand and Dholera, resulting in rapid industrial growth and job creation. He emphasized that industrial peace and effective policing are critical as Gujarat moves into advanced manufacturing sectors.

Sanghvi made the remarks after inaugurating and laying foundation stones for several technology-driven projects of the Ahmedabad Rural Police, including the ADR-Shield initiative. This centralized portal will track workers migrating to industrial areas nationwide and identify individuals with criminal backgrounds, ensuring workforce safety.

He also visited semiconductor facilities in Sanand GIDC Phase II, including units of Micron Technology, Kaynes Semicon Private Limited, and CG Semi Private Limited, reviewing progress and expansion plans with company officials.

Superintendent Jat stated, “Security arrangements are being designed considering that approximately 70% of semiconductor facility employees are women. Their safety, secure mobility, and workplace confidence are central to our planning.” When the Sanand and Dholera units are fully operational, total employment is expected to reach around 40,000.

The total cost of security upgrades for Sanand and Dholera police stations is expected to be about ₹15 crore, covering police station modernization and deployment of advanced surveillance systems.

According to Jat, Dholera’s proximity to the sea makes it strategically sensitive. “Dholera is close to the coastline, so surveillance will include high-end drones with night-vision capabilities for round-the-clock monitoring,” he explained.

Sanand and Dholera police stations are being developed as smart, sector-focused units tailored to semiconductor fabs and their vendor ecosystems. Dedicated Integrated Command and Control Centres will monitor fabs, vendors, logistics corridors, and utilities, integrating CCTV networks, automatic number plate recognition systems, drones, and mobile units to coordinate with industrial security teams and state control rooms in real-time.

Advanced crime mapping and analytics will identify patterns related to theft, labor disputes, and risks of industrial sabotage or espionage. Workforce verification will be managed via digital labor management systems that maintain profiles of workers and contractors, a key requirement for semiconductor plants employing large migrant populations.

The security plan also covers Dholera, where the Tata Group is establishing a major semiconductor fabrication plant. Sector-specific security planning emphasizes technology-driven surveillance and rapid response due to the strategic importance of the facility. The country’s first large-scale commercial semiconductor fab at Dholera is being set up by Tata Electronics in partnership with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation for an estimated investment of ₹91,000 crore.