Capital Matters: Amusement parks gaining ground

Amusement parks are multiplying in and around the capital with gusto.

Given the rise in disposable incomes and the perennial shortage of entertainment options in the city, amusement parks definitely have a huge market and are a growing industry. And that's the reason why several developers are tapping the potential.

Ansal Properties and Industries Ltd have acquired 450,000 sq ft of commercial space divided into lower ground floor, ground floor, upper ground floor and first floor. Located in Greater Noida, on the fringes of Delhi for an entertainment complex, it is a nearly Rs 1 billion project.

To be constructed on approximately 27,000 square metres, the entire project will be ready in a couple of years.

It will have multiplexes, food courts, anchor stores, discount stores, indoor and outdoor game parks, multi-cuisine restaurants and a banquet hall. Besides, the complex will provide facilities for parking of over 1,000 cars.

Explains project incharge, Ansal Properties and Industries, Ltd, Deepak Khanna: "The idea is to provide entertainment to the entire family. And instead of going to far-flung places, people can relax and unwind at these places. Since there are few recreation centres in the city, we are optimistic and would not like to be left behind."

Appreciating the strategic location of the prime property, Khanna said the Greater Noida Authority is putting in place infrastructure facilities, which will provide easy access to Delhi. This includes an eight-lane expressway, which will be operational by December 2002.

"This will reduce travel time and it will take merely 23 minutes to reach Greater Noida from Ashram in South Delhi". Ansals are also setting up restaurant chains across the country.

For several years, Appu Ghar, set up in 1984, was the only amusement park Delhi had. It changed the way Delhiites viewed joyrides and the very concept of amusement.

Appu Ghar forced people to combine their fast-paced life with relaxation and enjoyment simultaneously. It offered all-family amusement and people started looking for a day in the week for collective entertainment.

But 17 years ago when Swedish national Gian Vijeshwar, Chairman, Appu Ghar, had proposed the idea of an amusement park to the Indian government, it was no smooth ride for him.

"The idea of an amusement park did not register until I said what I meant was something like Disneyworld," he says.

Vijeshwar adds: "But the government had placed a ban on any such venture reasoning that not everyone in the country could afford such recreation.

"After a lot of convincing, I offered free entry for the poor. With no assistance, financial or otherwise, from the government, I decided to work it out on my own."

He put in the money he had earned in 25 years in Sweden into the venture. And for 11 years the entry charge to Appu Ghar was as low as 50 paisa to Re 1. Since he is no longer the only one in this business now, Vijeshwar has raised the price to Rs 10 per ticket.

Sensing the demand of the youngsters, he added a few more attractions in 1998. This included a water park, Oysters.

Vijeshwar offers more. In another two years he plans to be ready with another 140-acre amusement park at Noida. This will include a sea world with modern equipment.

Although the successful recreation complexes in the city include Appu Ghar, Fun 'n' Food Village and Wet 'n' Wild, there is still a large untapped potential. With change in lifestyle and perceptions, the year 2000 had brought in its wake at least half a dozen blueprints for projects in and around the capital.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is planning an amusement park in Rohini, in West Delhi, where abundant land is available at a reasonable price and the density of population is quite high.

Another big construction company, Unitech, is investing a huge amount in this business. It is working on two Family Entertainment Centre projects in Delhi. Said an official, "It's a vast growing market and we will follow the changing trends."

The already existing Fun 'n' Food Village on Delhi-Gurgaon Road is another major attraction where crowds throng by a few thousands.

From just a couple of amusement parks in the Nineties, there are almost 70 in India now. In fact, they have now become famous tourist attractions.