Disneyland Or Distraction? Netizens Raise Questions As Gurugram Suffers Trash, Flooding, And Trust Issues
The Haryana government’s announcement about setting up a Disneyland-style amusement park in Gurugram has sparked both excitement and scepticism. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, following a meeting with Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi, revealed that the state is in discussion with Disney officials and has identified 500 acres near Pachgaon Chowk in Manesar for the project, as reported by TOI.
Calling the project a game-changer for tourism and employment in the state, Saini said, “The project will generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities and bring major changes to the area. It will attract international tourists too.” However, Disney itself has yet to confirm or comment on any such collaboration.
According to Business Today, while no official agreement has been made, the initiative is being described as a 'Disneyland-style' project, indicating it may be more of an inspiration than an official franchise.
Strategic Vision or Premature Promise?
The land earmarked for the park lies near the KMP Expressway and the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, a location that Saini called ideal due to its accessibility across the NCR. “The upcoming Global City project in Gurgaon will be another milestone for the region. Hence, Gurgaon is the most suitable location for Disneyland,” he said. The Global City is planned over 1,000 acres in sectors 36, 36B, 37, and 37B and aims to offer a self-sustained, walk-to-work ecosystem.
Apart from the amusement park, the state also aims to promote existing tourism events like the International Gita Mahotsav and Surajkund Mela. The CM noted that Surajkund could host additional editions, including a Diwali Mela and a book fair, to enhance cultural tourism.
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Tourism Push Or Real Estate Scam?
Despite the ambition, public reaction has been mixed. Gurugram residents have raised concerns over the city's existing civic issues—poor waste management, flooding during rains, and stray animals on the streets. These challenges have led some to question the government's capacity to manage a global-scale attraction.
On social media, users voiced doubts about whether such a large-scale project is feasible given the state of local infrastructure. Some questioned whether the move is part of a broader effort to revive real estate in the region rather than a genuine tourism push. One user uploaded a video on social networking platform, Instagram, questioning if the whole project even exists or is this just a farce to lure people to invest in the real estate in the area and hike land prices.
One Netizen expressed their frustration with the city's conditions and posted on X, "We don’t need Disneyland - just give us CLEAN and GREEN Gurugram."
The plan has also reignited political debate. INLD national president Abhay Singh Chautala criticised the BJP’s stance, recalling that a similar Disneyland proposal made by the INLD government in 1989 was blocked due to opposition, ironically supported by BJP at the time, reported The Economic Times. “BJP was supporting INLD govt in 1989 but it sided with Congress to oppose the project back then,” Chautala said.
While Maharashtra has also floated a Disney-themed park proposal in Navi Mumbai, Haryana appears to be ahead in land allocation and formal planning. Whether this early push results in tangible progress or fades into political symbolism, remains to be seen.
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