In CM Saini's tourism push, revival of Haryana Disneyland dream & echoes of INLD's failed 1989 proposal
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Saini met Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi to discuss strategies for promoting tourism and preserving Haryana's cultural heritage. Central to the discussion was the proposed Disneyland project, which Saini described as a 'game-changing' initiative.
Gurugram: In a move to position Haryana as a global tourism hub, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's government has announced plans to establish a Disneyland theme park in Delhi-NCR, specifically in Gurugram.
Saini emphasised that the project would generate significant economic, cultural, and social benefits, not only for Haryana but for India as a whole.
'The Disneyland project will capitalise on Gurugram's market potential and connectivity to create a world-class amusement centre,' he said. 'It will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, develop infrastructure, and transform the surrounding areas.'
Gurugram, home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and the upcoming Global City project, was highlighted as the ideal location. The Chief Minister noted that the project would attract international tourists, boost tourism revenue, and establish Haryana as a prominent destination on the global map.
Also read: With Abhay Chautala's coronation as national chief, INLD eyes comeback as Haryana's primary Opposition
Echoes of 1989: Chautala's Failed Disneyland Plan
The ambitious project, aimed at boosting the state's economy and creating thousands of jobs, has reignited discussions about a similar initiative proposed in 1989 by then-Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, which faced fierce opposition and was ultimately scrapped. Abhay Singh Chautala, national president of the INLD, alleged while talking to ThePrint that the BJP not just opposed the Disneyland move of his father's government in 1989, but the party also opposed Chautala's move to bring casinos in Gurugram in 2000.
'The BJP and the Congress have never believed in the development of the State. Had the INLD government's move not been blocked in 1989, Haryana would have been a tax-free state in the country and would have the capacity to offer loans to other states. The BJP was supporting the INLD government from outside in 1989 as well as in 2000. However, it sided with Congress when it came to these projects. The BJP should now explain to people what has changed in all these years,' Chautala said.
He said that had Chautala not worked hard for development of Gurugram from 1999 to 2005, Gurugram wouldn't have been on the international map today.
The 1989 plan envisioned a massive amusement park modelled on Florida's Disneyworld, requiring 28,341 acres of land, including 14,000 acres of prime agricultural land in Gurugram (then Gurgaon).
The Haryana government, under Chautala, had even gone as far as to notify this vast area of land under the Land Acquisition Act for the amusement park.
The idea was to create a major entertainment hub that, along with Gurugram's development, would significantly change the economic landscape of Haryana.
The proposal faced massive public opposition. Farmers in Haryana vehemently protested against the acquisition of their agricultural land for the project.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not the primary force, it was part of the broader opposition, aligning with anti-INLD forces and supporting farmers' interests.
Political analyst Yoginder Gupta noted, 'The 1989 protests were localised in Gurugram and NCR but gained traction due to the support of all opposition parties, including the BJP. It was not as widespread as the 1999 protests for free electricity, but it was significant.'
When Bhajan Lal became Chief Minister in 1991, he scrapped the project, fulfilling an electoral promise to return the land to farmers. The decision was seen as a victory for the Opposition's collective efforts, though Congress led the charge.
Accusations of Hypocrisy and Political Responses
The revival of the Disneyland project has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, notably INLD MLA from Rania, Arjun Singh Chautala.
Speaking to ThePrint on Thursday, Chautala accused the BJP of hypocrisy. 'The BJP has a habit of opposing projects launched by opponents, only to support them when in power,' he said. 'Had the 1989 project materialised, Haryana would have seen significant development and tourism revenue by now.'
In response, a senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, defended the party's earlier stance. 'Our opposition in 1989 was not against development but against the forced acquisition of farmers' land,' the leader said. 'The BJP stands with farmers, and our current project will ensure development without compromising their interests.'
The current Disneyland proposal is significantly smaller in scale, requiring only 500 acres compared to the 28,341 acres proposed in 1989. The government has emphasised that the project aligns with modern infrastructure and economic goals, leveraging Gurugram's status as a corporate hub.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: 100 days of Saini 2.0: Why Haryana CM is no longer seen merely as Khattar's protégé
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