Noida Entertainment City (E-City), phase I of which opened this spring, is one of the biggest Indian amusement developments in recent years. Spread over a 62-acre site outside the industrial city of Noida in North West Delhi, the development includes two main components – Metro Walk, a themed retail environment, and Adventure Island, a world-class amusement park.
The project has been developed as a joint project between by Unitech Ltd, which boasts over 30 years experience in real estate and hospitality, and International Amusement Ltd, which pioneered the amusement park concept in India in 1984 when it launched Appu Ghar in New Delhi.
Project design for the Noida project was carried out in Canada by Forrec, with Management Resources, from the same country, responsible for operations. Other international suppliers include Electrosonic (audio), City Design Group (lighting), DEW (fountains), ECA2 (multimedia) and Cini Little (food and beverage). Germany’s TÜV helped with safety.
At present, Adventure Island at E-City includes 19 operational amusement rides including the Cyclone, Bush Buggies, Flip Out, Space Jump, Fire Brigade, Wild Wheels, Z-Force, Sidewinder, Derby Devils, Sky Riders, Lighting Bolt, Twister, Splash Dunk, Air Bus, Float Boat, Rockin’ Tug, Trail Train and a set of Bumper Cars. Ride suppliers included Zamperla, Moser and IE Park. Intamin will also provide rides in due course.
The Metrowalk mall, which is separated from the amusement park by an artificial lake and accessed by a bridge, covers an area of 200,000 square feet, and offers a unique mix of retail, food and entertainment.
Nearly 100 stores, featuring themed signage and vibrant colourful interiors, have already opened, complemented by a large food offering. Leading international brands taking up space at Metrowalk include Adidas, Benetton, Costa Coffee, Levis and McDonald’s.
Phase II of E-City, including a waterpark, is expected to be completed 2008.
