Ahmedabad: Balvatika, a popular tourist destination for Ahmedabad residents located in the Kankaria area, is set to reopen its doors with a grand modernization, transforming into a latest attraction for children’s entertainment and educational activities. The new avatar of this conventional attraction for children was ready before the Summer vacation, however due to various usual government related pending procedures, Balvatika will open in its new avatar only now, in the last week of July. This redeveloped Balvatika Fun Carnival promises a host of new museums and sports activities, many of which are making their debut in Gujarat and India. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will inaugurate this new Balvatika on Friday, July 25, at 6:30 PM.

At the newly constructed Balvatika Carnival at Kankaria visitors will discover a dynamic and sounding dinosaur park, India’s first transparent glass tower offering panoramic views, an intricate maze, a museum featuring vivid statues of great personalities, and an intriguing illusion house. It also boasts various sports activities, go-karts, and mud rides. Attractions like the coin house, glass house (AC), shoe house, landscape garden, selfie zone, and glow station will be accessible without additional charges.

Entry to the Balvatika Fun Carnival will be ₹50 for all visitors, from young children to adults. While most attractions are included in this sum, specific rides will have individual fees. Notably, the highly anticipated snow park, complete with sky viewing and jackets, will be priced at ₹450.

The renovated Balvatika showcases a modernly designed entry gate. Among its standout features is India’s first transparent glass tower, offering a unique perspective from a height, and Gujarat’s first wax museum. The park aims to provide entertainment for all ages, from selfie zones to adventure rides.

Originally established in 1956 within the Kankaria premises and currently managed by the Kankaria Zoo Department, Balvatika underwent a significant modernization after 68 years. The redevelopment project, undertaken on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis, was awarded to Superstar Amusement Pvt. Ltd. by the Municipal Corporation at a cost of ₹22 crore.

Despite being ready for the past two months, the inauguration was delayed due to stringent regulations and licensing processes following the Rajkot Game Zone fire incident. With all necessary approvals and licenses now secured, Balvatika is finally ready to welcome the public.

The revamped Balvatika will introduce an array of exciting games and attractions designed to thrill visitors of all ages. Among the many offerings, kids can enjoy the Jumping Adventure, which allows four children to jump at once, and the X Warrior, where kids can drive themselves in a fun-filled self-drive activity. For a royal experience, the Royal Ride accommodates two children, while the Robot (Moving Activity) is a one-person attraction. The Dinosaur Train will entertain up to eight children, taking them on an adventurous ride. Other unique features include the Wax Museum, which can accommodate 15 people and presents life-like wax figures, and the Flying Theater (AC), where eight visitors can enjoy a thrilling flying experience. For a chilling adventure, the Snow Park (Nabh Darshan) offers a unique journey through the nine planets in a world of snow. Additionally, the VR Reality (AC) area will feature 20 games and bumper cars for kids. The Mirror Maze (AC) provides a puzzling experience for up to seven people, while the Adventure Ride is designed for six children to enjoy thrilling rides together. These are just a few of the new attractions that make Balvatika a must-visit destination for families and thrill-seekers.

Visitors will be able to enjoy around 22 activities. Among these, the most expensive ride is the Snow Park, priced at ₹450, followed by the Flying Theater ticket at ₹200. Meanwhile, tickets for other attractions like the Selfie Tower (Glass Tower), Mud Bike, Wax Museum, and Illusion House have been priced at ₹170, ₹150, ₹130, and ₹150 respectively.

The entry fee for Balvatika is ₹50, which includes access to five free attractions such as the Coin House, Shoe House, and Landscape Garden. Several rides and activities have been priced between ₹60 and ₹100.

Superstar Amusement Pvt. Ltd. has invested ₹22 crore in the redevelopment of Balvatika. In previous years, the park generated an estimated annual revenue of ₹10 lakh. However, after redevelopment under the PPP model, the rounded base rental has been set at ₹187 per sq. m, resulting in a fixed annual rent of ₹19,23,295 payable to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

In addition to the fixed rent, AMC will receive 27% of the total ticket sales revenue, which is expected to bring in approximately ₹40 lakh annually. Visitors to the redeveloped Balvatika will now enter through the Kankaria Lakefront, and 100% of the entry fee revenue from this route will go to AMC. DeshGujarat