Haryana government’s hands are up in the air due to Khattar’s dream project: ₹5 thousand crores are needed for jungle safari; Minister said – difficult without the help of the Center
The Deputy Government of Haryana seems to be on the backfoot on the dream project of Manohar Lal Khattar, who was the Chief Minister of Haryana for 9 and a half years. This dream project is of the world’s largest jungle safari to be built in 10 thousand acres in the Aravalli Hills. Union Minister Khattar is constantly active to make this project.
Recently, he visited Vantara in Gujarat along with CM Naib Saini and Forest and Environment Minister Rao Narbir. Earlier in the year 2022, while being the Chief Minister, he went on a cleanliness tour to Sharjah (Dubai). Then Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav was with him.
After the Vantara tour of Gujarat, the Haryana government is now seen on the backfoot regarding this project. The main reason for this is the huge fund spent every month for building the jungle safari and then operating it. There is also a possibility that this project can also be considered to be handed over to private hands on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. However, the government has not decided on this.
These are the 3 big reasons for the government coming on the backfoot…
1. Expenditure of Rs 5000 crore in construction: The construction of the jungle safari to be built in Aravalli in Gurugram, Haryana is estimated to cost about Rs 5 thousand crore. The Haryana government is not in a position to spend this amount right now. The reason for this is that no amount has been allocated for this in the budget of 2026-26. In such a situation, if the government puts its hands on this project, then difficulties may arise.
2. Expenditure of Rs 100 crore on jungle safari every month: According to the assessment of the Haryana government, about Rs 100 crore will be spent monthly on the food and maintenance of the animals and birds coming to the jungle safari. Whereas, in the initial days, only Rs 20 to 30 crore is likely to come every month from the jungle safari. However, after six months this amount can increase to around 50 crores, but it is very difficult to earn 100 crores.
3. Opposition should not make this jungle safari an issue: Haryana government fears that the opposition can make this jungle safari a big issue. The state has a debt of about 4 lakh crores. If the government spends thousands of crores of rupees on the jungle safari, then the opposition can make it an issue. Former CM Bhupendra Singh Hooda already keeps cornering the government over the debt. There was a lot of uproar over the debt in the winter session of the assembly, which was clarified by CM Naib Saini himself in the house.
