Haryana is once again in the national spotlight with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s ambitious plan to establish a Disneyland-style theme park in Gurugram. This bold initiative aims to transform the state’s tourism landscape, create thousands of jobs, and position Gurugram as a global destination. Yet, the revival of this dream also brings back memories of a similar, ill-fated proposal from 1989, sparking political debate and accusations of hypocrisy.

A New Vision for Haryana Tourism

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who took office in March 2024, has made tourism a cornerstone of his development agenda. In a recent meeting with Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Saini outlined his vision for a world-class amusement park in Manesar, Gurugram. The proposed Disneyland project, to be built on a 500-acre site near Pachgaon Chowk, is strategically located along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, ensuring seamless connectivity to Delhi and the wider NCR region.

Saini described the project as a “game-changer” for Haryana and India, emphasizing its potential to:

Generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs

Boost tourism revenue

Develop local infrastructure

Attract international tourists

Transform Gurugram’s economic and social landscape

Gurugram’s status as a corporate powerhouse, home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and the upcoming Global City project, makes it an ideal location for such a landmark attraction.

The 1989 Echo: Chautala’s Grand, Failed Dream

The excitement around the new Disneyland proposal is tempered by memories of a similar plan from 1989. Then-Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala envisioned a massive amusement park modeled after Florida’s Disneyworld, requiring a staggering 28,341 acres of land—much of it prime agricultural property in Gurugram. The government went as far as issuing land acquisition notices, sparking widespread protests from local farmers and opposition parties, including the BJP.

Key points from the 1989 episode:

The project faced fierce resistance from farmers, who opposed the loss of their land.

The BJP, then in opposition, aligned with anti-INLD forces to support the farmers’ cause.

The protests, though localized, gained significant traction and became a symbol of resistance against forced land acquisition.

When Bhajan Lal became Chief Minister in 1991, he scrapped the project, returning the land to farmers and fulfilling an electoral promise.

Opposition leaders, especially from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), now accuse the BJP of hypocrisy—having opposed the Disneyland project in 1989, only to champion a similar initiative decades later. INLD MLA Arjun Singh Chautala argues that, had the original plan succeeded, Haryana would have reaped the benefits of early tourism-driven development.

Political Reactions and Accusations

The revival of the Disneyland dream has reignited political sparring:

INLD’s Critique: INLD leaders claim the BJP has a pattern of opposing rival projects only to adopt them when in power. They argue that the 1989 project, if realized, would have made Haryana a tourism and economic powerhouse much earlier.

BJP’s Defense: Senior BJP leaders counter that their opposition in 1989 was not against development, but against the forced acquisition of farmers’ land. They assert that the current project is more sensitive to local interests, requiring only 500 acres and aligning with modern infrastructure and economic goals.

Nayab Singh Saini government has emphasized that the new project will avoid the pitfalls of the past by focusing on sustainable development, respecting local interests, and leveraging Gurugram’s existing infrastructure and market potential.

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The Road Ahead

If successful, the Disneyland Park could:

Put Haryana on the global tourism map

Create a ripple effect of economic growth in the region

Inspire further investment in hospitality, retail, and cultural sectors

Serve as a model for balancing development with community interests

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership and the government’s commitment to inclusive growth will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead. As Haryana revisits its Disneyland dream, the lessons of 1989 serve as both a warning and a guide for building a future where development and local interests go hand in hand.

Conclusion

The revival of the Disneyland project under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is more than just a tourism initiative—it’s a test of Haryana’s ability to learn from its past, embrace innovation, and deliver inclusive growth. As the state moves forward, the world will be watching to see if this time, the dream becomes a reality.