GIFT City and Henox Group Collaborate to Build a Cable Landing Station in Gujarat

Gujarat is rapidly transforming into a major hub for digital infrastructure and global connectivity, driven by a combination of government vision, strategic investments, and international partnerships. A landmark development in this transformation is the collaboration between the Government of Gujarat, Gujarat International Finance Tec?City (GIFT City), and Henox IT & Data Centres Pvt. Ltd. (Henox Group) to establish a Cable Landing Station (CLS) in the state. This project, backed by an estimated ?1,317 crore investment, aims to build critical subsea infrastructure that connects India directly to global data networks — paving the way for Gujarat to become a global digital gateway.

The MoU signing ceremony took place in Gandhinagar, at the Regional AI Impact Conference, where top government officials and Henox leadership affirmed their commitment to enhancing Gujarat’s digital infrastructure and economic ecosystem. The CLS will be located in Dhuvaran village in Anand district, with high?capacity terrestrial fiber links planned to connect the landing station to GIFT City, near Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

This article explores the strategic rationale, benefits, and broader implications of this initiative — highlighting how it strengthens digital connectivity, supports economic growth, accelerates technology adoption, and elevates Gujarat’s position within India’s and the world’s digital landscape.

 

Understanding Cable Landing Stations (CLS)

Submarine or undersea cables are the backbone of global internet and data infrastructure, carrying more than 95% of intercontinental digital traffic. A Cable Landing Station is the shore-based facility where these submarine cables terminate and connect to land-based networks. The CLS houses equipment that transitions the subsea fiber optic cables into terrestrial networks, facilitating data transport to inland cities, data centers, and cloud hubs.

For India, which is experiencing exponential data growth driven by cloud computing, AI, 5G, and hyperscale applications, establishing additional CLSs beyond traditional locations is crucial. Gujarat’s new CLS in Dhuvaran promises faster international connectivity, enhanced data throughput, and increased digital resilience by diversifying landing locations away from crowded hubs such as Mumbai.

 

The GIFT City – Henox Partnership Explained

The MoU signed between the Government of Gujarat, GIFT City, and Henox IT & Data Centres Pvt. Ltd. underscores a public?private partnership model aimed at building foundational digital infrastructure:

• Henox IT & Data Centres Pvt. Ltd. – A technology infrastructure firm backed by international investment, Henox will lead the design, construction, and operation of the cable landing station. It will also develop a high?capacity fiber backhaul network connecting the landing station at Dhuvaran to GIFT City.

• GIFT City – Positioned as India’s premier global financial and technology hub, GIFT City will serve as the primary inland node, benefiting from direct access to international data flows.

• Government of Gujarat – The state government will facilitate policy support, regulatory clearances, and administrative coordination to allow the project to proceed efficiently.

Together, these stakeholders aim to create a digital infrastructure that positions Gujarat as not just a regional hub, but a global portal for data exchange and digital commerce.

 

Strategic Importance of Gujarat’s Location

Geographical Advantage

Gujarat’s location along India’s western coastline, facing the Arabian Sea, provides a strategic advantage for landing international submarine cables. Historically, Mumbai has been the dominant landing point for undersea cables connecting India to the world. However, establishing a landing station in Gujarat will diversify India’s connectivity footprint and reduce dependency on a single hub — thereby enhancing redundancy and resilience in the national communication network.

Proximity to Ahmedabad and GIFT City

The CLS in Dhuvaran will be connected to GIFT City, located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar — two fast-growing centers of commerce, technology, and governance. Ahmedabad is a major economic city with strong industrial and educational ecosystems, while GIFT City operates as a special economic zone (SEZ) and India’s only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Direct international connectivity allows businesses in these areas to leverage ultra-low latency links, high bandwidth, and faster data exchange for financial markets, cloud services, and AI-driven applications.

 

Economic and Employment Impacts

Projected Investments & Jobs

The CLS project, with its estimated ?1,317 crore investment, is anticipated to generate more than 1,300 direct and indirect employment opportunities spanning construction, engineering, telecom operations, and technical support services. These jobs will be distributed not only in the Anand district but also in emerging technology and data infrastructure sectors across Gujarat.

Boost to Digital and Data Infrastructure

Enhanced connectivity encourages further investments in data centers, cloud infrastructure, and digital services. Companies looking to establish hyperscale or enterprise data centers are likely to find Gujarat more attractive, thanks to direct subsea connectivity, supportive government policies, and proximity to GIFT City’s financial and technology ecosystem.

 

Technology and Innovation Implications

Enhanced Connectivity for Emerging Technologies

The new CLS will significantly reduce latency and improve network reliability — benefits that are critical for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, fintech applications, real-time trading platforms, and edge computing. With data volumes surging globally, robust international connectivity is essential for supporting large-scale digital operations.

Support for Smart Cities and Digital Governance

Internet of Things (IoT), smart city services, autonomous systems, and nationwide digital governance platforms require uninterrupted and high-speed data links. A landing station in Gujarat provides the foundational infrastructure that supports these technologies, enabling better citizen services and public sector digital initiatives.

 

Strengthening National Digital Resilience

India has been working to build redundancy in its digital infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with cable cuts, congestion, or localized disruptions. Gujarat’s CLS provides an alternate gateway for international traffic, reducing reliance on traditional hubs like Mumbai and improving the overall resilience of the national internet and data backbone. This diversification is critical in a geo-politically dynamic environment, where connectivity continuity is essential for economic stability.

 

GIFT City: A Transformative Hub

Gujarat International Finance Tec?City (GIFT City) is a strategically developed SEZ and IFSC designed to attract global financial institutions, fintech firms, technology companies, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). By linking GIFT City directly to an international submarine cable landing point, the region gains a competitive edge for business operations that depend on ultra-low latency and high-capacity data channels.

This connectivity is particularly advantageous for:

• Financial trading and clearing platforms that require real-time data

• Fintech services and cross-border payment systems

• Cloud and AI service providers

• Global enterprise operations reliant on secure international links

The CLS will also help attract global technology firms seeking robust infrastructure for innovation, computing, and data-intensive workloads.

 

Future Prospects and Expansion Opportunities

Catalyzing Data Center Growth

With direct international connectivity, Gujarat is poised to attract additional data center investments, which are essential for sectors such as AI, big data analytics, and cloud services. Hyperscale and enterprise data centers often require close proximity to international cable landing points to ensure optimal performance.

Innovation Ecosystems and Tech Clusters

The enhanced digital backbone can foster innovation clusters and technology parks focused on next-generation technologies, cybersecurity, IoT, and AI research — contributing to greater economic diversification and high-skilled job growth.

Strengthened Global Partnerships

Gujarat’s position as a digital gateway paves the way for deeper economic collaborations with the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, enhancing trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and global business connectivity.

 

Closing Remarks

The collaboration between the Government of Gujarat, GIFT City, and Henox Group to establish a Cable Landing Station in Dhuvaran represents a pivotal step in Gujarat’s transformation into a global digital hub. With an estimated investment of ?1,317 crore and the potential to generate over 1,300 jobs, the project strengthens the state’s digital infrastructure, bolsters international connectivity, and enhances its appeal as a premier destination for technology and financial services.

By diversifying India’s international data routes and extending connectivity directly to Ahmedabad and GIFT City, this initiative not only supports current technological demands but also prepares Gujarat for future advancements in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, smart governance, and global trade. As digital ecosystems continue to expand, Gujarat is well-positioned to play a central role in India’s digital economy and global connectivity framework.

In case of any query regarding GIFT City and Henox Group Collaborate to Build a Cable Landing Station in Gujarat, feel free to connect with our legal experts, Tulja Legal, at +91 96380-69905

About the Author

Anju S Nair

Legal Researcher | LLB, MA English| Corporate Lawyer | Business Enthusiast | Founder & CEO at iLawbook.

 

FAQs

1. What is a Cable Landing Station (CLS)?
   A CLS is a facility where undersea fiber optic cables land and interface with terrestrial networks, enabling international data traffic.

2. Where will the cable landing station be located in Gujarat?
   It will be located in Dhuvaran village in Anand district, Gujarat.

3. Which parties signed the MoU for this project?
   The MoU was signed by the Government of Gujarat, GIFT City, and Henox IT & Data Centres Pvt. Ltd.

4. What is the estimated investment value?
   The project involves an estimated investment of ?1,317 crore.

5. How many jobs is the cable landing station expected to generate?
   It is expected to create more than 1,300 direct and indirect jobs.

6. How will this project benefit Gujarat’s digital infrastructure?
   It will enhance international connectivity, reduce dependency on existing hubs, and support data centers and emerging technologies.

7. What benefits does GIFT City gain from the CLS?
   GIFT City will gain direct access to global data networks, improving latency and connectivity for technology, financial services, and enterprise operations.

8. Will the CLS support advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing?
   Yes, improved connectivity supports high-bandwidth technologies such as AI workloads, cloud applications, and real-time data analytics.

9. How does this project strengthen India’s digital resilience?
   By creating an additional landing point for international data, the project increases redundancy and reduces risk in national data infrastructure.

10. What future developments could arise from this initiative?
    Potential developments include data center clusters, innovation ecosystems, and enhanced global partnerships.

 

References

1. Gujarat to Boost Digital Infrastructure with ?1,317-Crore Cable Landing Station in Dhuvaran — https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/gujarat-to-boost-digital-infrastructure-with-1317-crore-cable-landing-station-in-dhuvaran/125924706

2. Gujarat govt, GIFT City, Henox ink MoU for ?1,317-crore cable landing station in Anand — https://deshgujarat.com/2025/12/11/gujarat-govt-gift-city-henox-ink-mou-for-1317-crore-cable-landing-station-in-anand/

3. GIFT City Partners Henox Group for ?1,317 Cr Cable Landing Station in Gujarat — https://www.ghar.tv/blog/gujarat-to-become-global-digital-gateway-as-gift-city-signs-1317-crore-cable-landing-station-deal-with-sharjah-based-henox-group/