Nicco Park

Nicco Park is an amusement and leisure destination in Jheel Meel, Sector IV of Bidhannagar, West Bengal, India. Developed to strengthen tourism and provide accessible family recreation in the Kolkata region, the park opened to visitors on 13 October 1991 after being established by Nicco Parks & Resorts Limited. The company was formed in 1989 as a joint-sector venture involving National Insulated Cable Corporation, now associated with Nicco Corporation, and West Bengal government institutions including the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation and the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. Rajive Kaul, associated with the Nicco Group, was a central figure in developing the concept after visiting Disneyland in the United States and exploring whether a comparable destination could be created in the Kolkata area. The original park was built on the site of the former Jheelmeel Park. Technical advice was supplied by Blackpool Leisure & Amusement Consultancy of the United Kingdom, including assistance with land evaluation, layout, ride design and safety considerations. Nicco Park opened with 13 rides at a reported construction cost of approximately eight crore rupees, and it retained and upgraded the earlier park's toy train. Over time, the attraction base expanded to roughly 35 rides and other visitor facilities across a site of about 40 acres. The park has been described in popular and tourism-oriented sources as the Disneyland of West Bengal and has reportedly welcomed more than 24 million visitors over its operating history. The brand's proposition extends beyond mechanical rides. Nicco Park promotes educational recreation, with explanatory material near attractions intended to show the scientific principles behind ride operation. Its Solar Energy Village demonstrates non-conventional energy applications, while a greenhouse and plant-related facilities support the park's environmental theme. Other attractions have included a rose garden, a large waterfall, an elevated cable-car system, an Eiffel Tower-style viewing structure and a retired MIG-21 aircraft displayed for educational interest. The park also operates food outlets, souvenir retail, event facilities and entertainment venues. Its attraction portfolio has included the Toy Train, Tilt-a-Whirl, bumper or striking cars, paddle boats, a water chute, Water Coaster, Flying Saucer, Pirate Ship, River Caves, Moonraker and the Cyclone roller coaster. Wet-O-Wild adds a water-park component with aquatic attractions and rain-dance programming, while a 4-D cinema, bowling facility and restaurant and bar broaden the site's appeal beyond rides. Octagon has been used for corporate and private events. The Giant Cyclone, introduced in 2003, became one of the park's signature attractions, with a reported track length of about 750 metres, seven drops and a maximum height of approximately 55 feet. Nicco Parks & Resorts also pursued geographic diversification. It opened parks using the Nicco name in Bhubaneswar in 1998 and Jamshedpur in 2001, and participated in the development of a composite park in Dhaka in 2003. The company later discussed a water-park project connected with the Cox's Bazar area of Bangladesh, although the available reference material does not establish that every proposed project was completed or remains operational. Nicco Park has received recognition from the Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries for attractions including the Giant Cyclone and River Caves. It has also publicized quality, environmental, occupational-safety and social-accountability certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and SA 8000. The park remains positioned as a mass-market, family-oriented leisure venue combining amusement rides, water recreation, food, events and educational interpretation.

The idea for a major amusement park in the Kolkata area emerged during preparations associated with the tricentennial celebrations of Kolkata's recorded founding. Rajive Kaul, linked to the Nicco Group, reportedly developed the concept after visiting Disneyland in the United States. The proposal evolved into a joint project between private industry and the Government of West Bengal, intended to support tourism while providing a family recreation venue with an educational dimension. Nicco Parks & Resorts Limited was incorporated on 17 March 1989. Its private-sector participation came through National Insulated Cable Corporation, later known as Nicco Corporation, while the state side was represented by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation and West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. The company obtained its certificate of commencement of business on 31 March 1989. Land was acquired from Subhas Chakraborty, proprietor of the earlier Jheelmeel Park, and the new company assumed responsibility for developing and operating the amusement park. Technical support came from Blackpool Leisure & Amusement Consultancy Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Its work included advice on surveying, design and safety. The park incorporated and substantially improved the former Jheelmeel Park's toy train, which became a way for visitors to tour the grounds. Construction reportedly cost about eight crore rupees. Nicco Park opened on 13 October 1991 with 13 rides. The park expanded over subsequent decades into a roughly 40-acre leisure complex with about 35 attractions. Its educational-recreation concept is expressed through explanatory displays placed near rides and through features such as the Solar Energy Village, which presents examples of non-conventional energy use. Environmental elements include landscaped grounds, a greenhouse and a rose garden. A large waterfall, elevated viewing facilities, cable cars and a retired MIG-21 aircraft further diversified the visitor experience. The attraction portfolio grew to include the Giant Cyclone, water rides, River Caves, Pirate Ship, Flying Saucer, Moonraker, Sky Diver and a separate water-park area called Wet-O-Wild. The complex also developed rain-dance programming, a 4-D cinema, food outlets, souvenir shops, a bowling alley, a restaurant and bar, and event spaces such as Octagon. The Giant Cyclone, added in 2003, became one of the park's best-known rides. Nicco Parks & Resorts expanded beyond the original West Bengal site. Nicco-branded parks opened in Bhubaneswar in December 1998 and Jamshedpur in June 2001. A composite park was established in Dhaka in 2003. The company also signed or discussed an arrangement concerning a proposed water park associated with the Cox's Bazar resort area in Bangladesh; the available material does not confirm the completed operating status of that proposal. The park has attracted sponsorship or investment connected with a range of corporate organizations, including ITC, TISCO, Britannia, Bata, Nestlé, SmithKline Beecham, Union Carbide, Dunlop, ANZ Grindlays, Duncans, Goodricke and Cadbury. Nicco Park has also publicized several management and safety credentials. These include ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety, and SA 8000 social-accountability certification. The Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries recognized the Giant Cyclone for indigenous ride manufacture in 2006–07 and the River Caves for innovation and popularity in 2009–10. A ride-related injury incident involving Moonraker in January 2010 generated competing claims about visitor behavior and operator safety. Nicco Park continues to operate as a major amusement and water-recreation destination in West Bengal.

• 2008

  MIG-21 display introduced

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  The Eastern Air Command supplied a retired MIG-21 for display as an educational attraction.

• 2003

  Giant Cyclone added

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  The park introduced the Giant Cyclone, which became one of its signature roller-coaster attractions.

• 2003

  Composite park established in Dhaka

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  Nicco Parks & Resorts participated in establishing a composite entertainment park in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• 2001

  Nicco park opens in Jamshedpur

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  A further Nicco-branded park opened in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

• 1998

  Nicco park opens in Bhubaneswar

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  The company expanded its park operations to Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• 1991

  Nicco Park opens

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  The park opened on 13 October with 13 rides at the former Jheelmeel Park site in Bidhannagar.

• 1989

  Nicco Parks & Resorts Limited established

  [1]Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org

  A joint-sector company involving Nicco's private-sector interests and West Bengal government development and tourism bodies was formed to develop and operate an amusement park near Kolkata.

A family-focused, value-oriented leisure destination that combines amusement rides and water recreation with educational displays, environmental themes, food, retail and event facilities.

• Amusement rides · 1991

  Nicco Park amusement rides

  The core offering is a broad collection of family and thrill rides, including the Toy Train, Tilt-a-Whirl, striking cars, Pirate Ship, Flying Saucer, Moonraker, Cyclone and Sky Diver. The park's ride presentation is paired with explanatory material intended to connect entertainment with basic scientific principles.

• Roller coaster · 2003

  Giant Cyclone

  Introduced in 2003, the Giant Cyclone is one of Nicco Park's principal thrill attractions. Reference material describes it as approximately 750 metres long, with seven drops and a maximum height of about 55 feet. It received recognition from the Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries for indigenous ride manufacture.

• Water park

  Wet-O-Wild

  Wet-O-Wild is the water-park component within the Nicco Park complex. It extends the destination's offer beyond dry rides with water attractions and rain-dance entertainment, helping position the park as a full-day family leisure destination.

• Boat ride · 1991

  River Caves

  River Caves is a themed water attraction and one of the park's recognized signature rides. It has received industry recognition for innovation and popularity, and its concept was influenced by the River Caves attraction associated with Blackpool.

• Educational recreation

  Educational and environmental attractions

  Nicco Park incorporates a Solar Energy Village, explanatory ride displays, landscaped gardens, a greenhouse and a retired MIG-21 aircraft. These features support the park's long-standing claim that visitors should leave with knowledge as well as entertainment.

• 2003

  Add the Giant CycloneProduct launch

  Background

  Nicco Park expanded its ride portfolio to include a larger thrill attraction capable of serving as a signature draw.

  Action taken

  The company introduced the Giant Cyclone roller coaster.

  Aftermath

  The ride became one of the park's best-known attractions and later received industry recognition.

  Source

• 1998

  Expand the Nicco park model geographicallyStrategy

  Background

  The company sought to extend its amusement-park model beyond the original Bidhannagar site.

  Action taken

  Nicco-branded parks were opened in Bhubaneswar and later Jamshedpur, followed by a composite park in Dhaka.

  Aftermath

  The brand developed a regional footprint, although the available source does not document the current status of each location.

  Source

• 1989

  Create a joint-sector amusement park for West BengalStrategy

  Background

  The project was conceived as a tourism and family-recreation initiative linked to Kolkata's tricentennial planning and was developed through cooperation between Nicco interests and West Bengal government bodies.

  Action taken

  Nicco Parks & Resorts Limited was formed to build and operate the park, with technical input from a British amusement consultancy.

  Aftermath

  The resulting park opened in 1991 and became a major leisure destination in West Bengal.

  Source

1. 1Nicco Parken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Nicco Park official websiteniccoparks.com