India’s First Disneyland-Style Theme Park to Transform Manesar with 500-Acre Mega Project

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has unveiled plans for India’s first Disneyland-style theme park in Manesar, near Gurugram, promising to reshape the National Capital Region (NCR) into a global entertainment hub. The 500-acre project, strategically located along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, is set to rival iconic destinations like Paris, Tokyo, and California, according to Hindustan Times.

Announced after discussions with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the park is being hailed as a “game-changer” for Haryana’s economy and cultural landscape. “This entertainment hub will drive economic, cultural, and social benefits for Haryana and the entire country,” Saini said, emphasizing its potential to create thousands of jobs, spur infrastructure growth, and boost hospitality and real estate sectors.

The site’s proximity to Gurugram’s corporate hubs and the upcoming 1,000-acre Global City project enhances its appeal, leveraging excellent connectivity via major expressways and rail corridors.

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While the project has generated excitement, no official confirmation from The Walt Disney Company has been made, leading some to question whether the park will carry the official Disneyland brand or simply draw inspiration from it. Land acquisition and administrative groundwork are already in progress, with construction expected to begin soon, though the park’s opening is projected for around 2030.

The announcement has stirred memories of a failed 1989 attempt by then-Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala to develop a Disney-style park across 28,000 acres in Gurugram, which was abandoned amid farmer protests. INLD leader Abhay Chautala criticized the BJP’s current support for the project, noting their opposition in 1989. “Had that project succeeded, Haryana could have been a tax-free state today,” he claimed. BJP leaders, including spokesperson Arun Yadav, countered that the new 500-acre plan is more modest and farmer-friendly, ensuring development without forced land acquisitions.

Beyond the theme park, Haryana is amplifying its tourism strategy with plans to expand the Surajkund Crafts Mela to include Diwali and Book Fairs and seeking central funding to elevate the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra. Experts believe this blend of modern entertainment and cultural heritage could position Haryana as a global tourism hotspot, capitalizing on Gurugram’s economic clout and strategic location

As anticipation builds, the Manesar project promises to fill the void left by the closure of Gurugram’s Kingdom of Dreams in 2022, potentially transforming NCR weekends into a thrilling mix of rollercoasters and cultural experiences.

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