Manesar to get a Disneyland: Saini
The proposed park will be located along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, ensuring seamless access from Delhi and other major centres.
The plan, which officials said is part of the state's broader strategy to transform itself into a global tourism hub, aims to position Haryana alongside global destinations like Paris, Tokyo, and California that host similar Disney-themed parks.
Saini described the project as a 'game-changer' for Haryana's tourism and economy. 'This entertainment hub will bring economic, cultural, and social benefits not only to Haryana but to the entire country,' said Saini, following discussions with Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi. 'Manesar's proximity to Delhi, its infrastructure, and corporate presence make it the perfect location.'
State tourism officials aware of the project's details said the move is expected to drastically alter the region's tourism profile. It is likely to attract massive private investment, boost infrastructure, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and catalyse growth in the hospitality, entertainment, and real estate sectors in and around Manesar and Pachgaon.
The announcement is being seen as an effort to fill the entertainment void left by the shuttering of Gurugram's Kingdom of Dreams in 2022, which had once promised to be India's Broadway.KoD collapsed amid mounting financial losses and disputes between its promoters and state authorities.
'This project will mark a turning point for Haryana's tourism economy,' said a senior tourism department official. 'Disneyland's global brand value, combined with Haryana's expressways and mega infrastructure projects like the Global City, will elevate the entire NCR as a destination for tourists and investors alike.'
Owned by the Walt Disney Company, there are five Disneylands across the world — in California and Florida in the United States, Paris (France), Tokyo (Japan), and Hong Kong.
On asked if the project has been cleared by Disney, a senior state government official, requesting anonymity, said, 'The project was announced only after all necessary communications were completed and after receiving the proposal from all concerned parties. However, Disney has not issued an official statement yet.'
As part of its holistic tourism push, the Haryana government is also expanding its cultural calendar. The Surajkund Crafts Mela, traditionally held once a year, will now be hosted thrice annually with the addition of a Diwali Fair and a Book Fair. The expanded calendar is aimed at offering broader platforms for artisans, performers, and writers, and drawing larger tourist footfalls.
Saini also urged the Centre to extend financial support for scaling up the annual International Gita Mahotsav, a Kurukshetra-based celebration of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings. 'Projects like Disneyland, Surajkund expansion, and Gita Mahotsav will redefine Haryana's global image. We're committed to building a world-class cultural and tourism ecosystem,' he said.
Tourism industry experts welcomed the integrated approach, saying that blending heritage, entertainment, and infrastructure could significantly increase Haryana's tourist inflow. Officials added that land acquisition and administrative work for the Disneyland project is already underway, and discussions with global partners are progressing. Groundwork is expected to begin in the coming months.
However, the announcement has stirred political memories of an earlier, unsuccessful attempt. In 1989, the Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government had proposed a Disney-style park over 28,000 acres in Gurugram. The project was scrapped following intense farmer protests over land acquisition, turning it into a politically sensitive issue.
Abhay Singh Chautala, INLD's national president, lashed out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of hypocrisy. 'The BJP vehemently opposed the 1989 proposal and even a plan for a casino in 2000. They must now explain what has changed,' he said.
BJP, however, leaders defended the new project, drawing a distinction between past and present. 'Our opposition in 1989 was against the forcible acquisition of thousands of acres of farmers' land. This project is limited to 500 acres and will be executed in a manner that respects farmers' interests while promoting development,' said Arun Yadav, BJP social media head.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Nitin Gadkari's app-cab reform: Drivers to get care, customer is the king
In India's booming app-based cab economy, often the only thing that matters for the consumer is not the technology or the car but the most-ignored cog in the wheel: the driver. Whether you step out grinning or groaning from an Ola/Uber ride depends on that crucial factor—how was the driver?Now, the Union ministry of road transport and highways, under Nitin Gadkari, seems to have finally accepted this elementary truth more than ever before. The newly revised Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2025, published recently, take into account mental health reviews for drivers as well as how much their work schedules can be stretched, among other things. For an industry defined by long hours, fickle pay and frequent confrontational customers, it can be a game new guidelines, revised from an earlier set in 2020, say drivers will also get better insurance cover: Rs 15 lakh as term insurance and Rs 7.5 lakh for health, a big jump from the earlier Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively. It's a long overdue correction for a workforce that hasn't had access to the safety nets available to employees in the more formal bottomline: when drivers are safer, healthier and more secure, they are better able to serve customers; the roads get safer too. This has been underpinned by a growing acceptance within government that it is the people, as opposed to the infrastructure, that shape passengers' experience. That said, the refreshed and forward-looking 2025 regulations are not exactly mandatory. Transport may be on the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, but there's precious little the Centre can do to compel a state into legislating on transport matters. So it would be for each state government to either accept or adjust the recommendations. BJP-ruled states will probably fall in line, but others may hesitate, stall or even ignore the changes. It is, therefore, a wishlist with all the good there are several good upgrades in the guidelines as well, such as the way data is to be treated by the aggregators, as per the new Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Aggregators are now required to keep for a finite time—mininum three months, maximum two years—data generated by the Indian app on Indian servers and in compliance with the Indian data laws. It is part of a shift away from casual data-governance practices that used to be the norm, especially in the gig also a green nudge. Previously, states had the option to offer incentives for electric vehicles purchased within aggregator fleets. The rules now require action: at least 5 per cent of an aggregator's fleet must be electric within the first year of the notice, and that number must double in the second year. It's an aggressive play in a sector that has been slow to see EV adoption, largely because of the erratic charging infrastructure and higher out-of-pocket costs. Also, the demise of BluSmart has been a may finally have some bite. For instance, customers can now know the break-up of fares before booking their rides, ending opaque pricing that often left riders in the dark. If it takes the driver more than five minutes past promised time, riders will have a clear right to cancel the ride without penalty. Also, passengers are meant to be compensated if a driver cancels for no good training and safety protocols are improved as well. The old guidelines addressed gender sensitisation only. But the new ones say drivers have to learn about sexual harassment and how to protect the vulnerable—children and seniors and women. The guidelines stress there should be a clear way to escalate complaints in the the gulf between policy and practice remains wide. Aggregator platforms, known for finding ways to sidestep worker protections in the gig economy in the name of technological neutrality, are likely to slow down on implementing the more stringent rules. And unless state governments have the political will for enforcement, these may well remain on all in all, by making the driver the centerpiece of the ride-hailing equation, the government is signalling a new norm. While it could still be a bumpy ride, a lot of the potholes look set to be filled should the states play to India Today Magazine- EndsTune InMust Watch
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
How chef Himanshu Saini earned a third Michelin star for Dubai restaurant
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today Spice issue dated June 2025)Chef Himanshu Saini never played it safe, and in hindsight, we're all luckier for it. Saini's journey reads like the kind of plot that makes biopics irresistible. If anyone needed proof that cumin, cardamom, and creativity could build an empire, Trsind Studio is your answer. With three Michelin stars under his belt at just 38, Chef Himanshu has done what only a select few chefs in the world can boast of. Legendary Chef Joan Roca dubs him 'a chef with artistic flair at its finest.' One of India's top chefs, Manish Mehrotra, lauds him for 'eloquently reshaping Indian cuisine on the global gastronomic stage.' And the most visionary Michelin star chef in Dubai, Vladimir Mukhin of Krasota, calls him 'a bold visionary, redefining flavours and presentation with a progressive edge.'advertisementWELL BEGUN IS HALF DONEBorn into the delightful chaos of a joint family in India, his earliest lessons weren't rooted in textbooks but in the kitchen. 'My connection to food was forged in the bustling lanes of Old Delhi, where I was raised in a lively, multi-generational household. There, I learned early on that food was more than just sustenance, it was a way we expressed love.' Though his first passion was athletics, it was at Banarasidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in New Delhi that he discovered his true calling in the culinary arts and met collaborators, 'who remain part of my journey to this day,' shares the chef. His first brush with brilliance happened at none other than Delhi's famed Indian Accent. From trainee to sous chef in a matter of years, Saini displayed a streak of genius that couldn't be ignored. This led to other stints launching pathbreaking concepts, but this chef wanted he was tapped to helm a restaurant in the Big Apple, he jumped. After all, it was 'New York City'. The dream, right? wasn't. 'The pace wasn't for me. Communication was hard,' he confesses. Most people would soldier on, maybe settle. Saini didn't. In a move that could only be described as gutsy, he called up Bhupender Nath, CEO and founder of Passion F&B, and asked a loaded question: 'Is Trsind Dubai still hiring?' Turns out, it was. Fast-forward a few years, and Saini has been consistently rewriting the rules of Indian fine dining. Trsind Studio in Dubai is now an institution, one with three shiny Michelin stars, no other chefs might lean on the comfort of nostalgia, or heavy regional cooking, Saini pushes boundaries. His interpretations are cerebral yet playful, elevating Indian cuisine without taking away the soul that makes it special. 'The road has had its share of obstacles, from early struggles to navigating the pandemic, but it's these challenges that have shaped me and my culinary vision, shaping Trsind Studio into the experience it is today', shares chef Himanshu. Clockwise from Left: Kitchen view, Tresind Studio | Lobster tail, Alleppey curry, pickled carrot Bar lounge NEW MENU: RISING INDIASaini doesn't just cook food; he crafts narratives that bridge the past, present, and future with the finesse of a poet weaving verse. His India Rising menu is an ode—both tender and bold—to a country alive with a million flavours, where each dish unfolds like pages from a storybook, vivid and unforgettable. Take the 'Pandhra Rassa', a creamy lamb stew rooted in Maharashtra's heartland, which breathes in the hushed whispers of coconut groves and quiet fireside meals. But here's the kicker: nestled inside are Gorgonzola-filled tortellinis, a clever twist that adds a modern flair. It's comfort with an edge. And then there's the 'Pickled Pepper Tempura', which takes you on a tangy escapade reminiscent of spice bazaars, cooled by an unexpected buttermilk curry ice cream, an interplay that catches you off guard, in the best way possible. But it's Saini's 'Sadya' that steals the show. Inspired by Kerala's Onam feast; it's tradition reimagined on a banana leaf. Twelve vibrant components, mango curry, tomato rasam, lentil and papadum join forces in a harmonious tribute to heritage. It stirs something deep: nostalgia for some, debates on authenticity for others. But that's the magic. Saini doesn't replicate; he reshapes. This isn't just food, it's memory, culture, and quiet rebellion shared in every bite. And, it to India Today Magazine- Ends
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Forest dept draws up master plan for Kappatagudda ecotourism
Pic: A view of the scenic Kappatagudda area Gadag: Following the final notification declaring a 423.7 sq km area around Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary as an eco sensitive zone by the Union ministry of environment, forest, and climate change, the state forest department has drawn up an Rs 18.3 crore tourism development master plan. Santosh Kumar Kenchappanavar, deputy conservator of forests, Gadag division, told TOI that the tourism department requested the forest department to submit a detailed project report on eco-tourism development under its 'One District One Destination' initiative in the hills. "We ensured compliance with wildlife norms and ensured that the habitat and movement of wild animals are not affected. We classified areas into A, B and C sites. Now we are waiting for the approval of the plan from the tourism department," he stated. Ashok Mandali, chairman of the Gadag taluk's Five Guarantees Schemes Implementation Authority, said: "The govt announced in the previous budget that it will encourage eco-tourism in Kappatagudda hills, which is an iconic identity of Gadag district. The tourism department will allocate grants on a priority basis." Sources in the forest department said site A is meant for the entrance, information centre, trekking paths, medicinal plants, viewpoints and adventure sports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ukraine: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo "Site B is proposed for a wildlife and nature information centre, medicinal plants' gardens displaying scientific information on plants and facilities for medicinal plants experts. Nature camps, accommodation, a star-gazing tower, and other facilities are proposed in site C," they added. However, Shivakumara Swamiji of Nandiveri Mutt, located in Kappatagudda, said more human intervention leads to deforestation. "There is a need for eco-sensitive tourism. If tourists continue their habit of throwing plastic, destroying plants, and disturbing the habitat and movement of wild animals, the Kappatagudda hills may be polluted. Currently, weeds like lantana and parthenium are growing rapidly in the hills. The boundary of 80,000 acres was fixed by the British in 1890 itself, and there is a need to identify it. The govt has the responsibility of conserving the herbal heritage and habitat of Lambani tandas. Hence, a public hearing should be conducted before taking up any such major developmental works," he said.
