Want to visit Disneyland but Kolkata is your home? Nicco Park is your answer. It is often called the Disneyland of West Bengal. Welcome to Nicco Park.
Nicco Park is an amusement park in Bidhannagar. It is located in Jheel Meel. The park was created to attract tourists. It provides family fun and educative entertainment. Nicco Park opened on 13 October 1991. Over 24 million customers have visited since then. The park spans 40 acres. Nicco Park also provides a green environment.
The idea for Nicco Park began with Kolkata’s 300th anniversary. Rajive Kaul visited Disneyland during the planning. When he returned, he said he wanted to create a Disneyland here. This idea led to a joint venture with the West Bengal government.
The Government of West Bengal and Rajive Kaul built the park. They bought land from Subhas Chakraborty. Chakraborty owned the previous Jheelmeel Park. They created Nicco Parks and Resorts Ltd NPRL. It was a joint venture between Nicco Corporation Ltd and the West Bengal government. Blackpool Leisure & Amusement Consultancy Ltd from the UK also helped. They provided technical advice.
Rajive Kaul sought financial help from Geoffrey Thompson. Thompson owned Pleasure Beach Blackpool. Thompson offered technical expertise only. This included land surveying and design advice. The River Caves idea came from Thompson’s Blackpool. Kaul later offered to renovate Blackpool’s caves. He recognized Nicco Park’s caves were better. Thompson accepted the offer.
Nicco Park opened with 13 rides after two years. The cost was about rupees 8 crores. It improved the old Jheelmeel park’s toy train. The toy train now tours the whole park.
Nicco Park focuses on educational recreation. Families should learn while having fun. Displays explain the science behind the rides. The Solar Energy village shows how non-conventional energy sources work. A greenhouse run by Indo American Hybrid Seeds Ltd sells plants.
Nicco Park has about thirty-five rides. These include the Toy Train and Tilt-a-Whirl. Striking Cars and Paddle Boat are also popular. You can also enjoy the Water Chute and Water Coaster. Flying Saucer and Pirate Ship are fan favorites. River Caves, Cyclone and Moonraker offer additional thrills. The Giant Cyclone is among Asia’s largest. It has seven drops and reaches 55 feet.
The park’s cable cars and Eiffel Tower offer great views. There is also a rose garden. A forty feet high waterfall adds to the natural beauty.
A decommissioned MIG-21 fighter plane is on display. It came from the Bagdogra Airbase. The Eastern Air Command gifted it in 2008. It offers educational value.
The food park sells North Indian food. You can also find Bengali, South Indian and Chinese food here. Kiosks are run by Kolkata restaurants. Sheroo Bazar and Souvenir Shop Wet-O-Wild sell accessories. These include T-shirts and coffee mugs.
Nicco Park has grown over the years. Wet-O-Wild is a water park inside. Rain dance performances are held here. The park also has a 4-D movie theater. A new ride called Sky Diver attracts many visitors. A bowling alley with a restaurant and bar are also available. Octagon hosts corporate and non-corporate events.
The Nalban Boating Complex is next to the park. It offers boat tours. You can choose paddle boats or shikaras. Groves surround the four hundred acre lake. Salt Lake Stadium is also nearby. Subhash Sarovar is opposite the stadium. It is one of Kolkata’s two man made lakes.
Nicco Park has received positive feedback. Many companies have invested in the park. These include ITC Limited and TISCO. Britannia Industries and Bata have also contributed. Nestle and Smith Kline Beecham have also invested. Union Carbide and Dunlop are also sponsors. ANZ Grindlays, Duncans and Goodricke are also involved. Cadburys is also among the investors. They sponsor rides and attractions.
The Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries awarded The Giant Cyclone. It was named the Best Indigenously Manufactured Ride of 2006-07. Nicco Park’s River Caves won Most Innovative and Popular Ride of 2009–10.
Nicco Park has ISO certifications. These include ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. It was the first amusement park in the world to get ISO 9002 certification from a European Certifying Authority. Nicco Park also received the ICC Corporate Excellence Award. The SA 8000 Social Accountability certificate came on 14 December 2008. Nicco Park was the first Indian amusement park to get this honor. It is time to experience the magic.