THIS WILL BE Wonderla’s fifth amusement park after Kochi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, marking another major milestone in the company’s expansion journey. The Chennai project is taking shape on a sprawling 62-acre site in Thiruporur, about 45 km from Chennai city. Designed to be a flagship attraction, the park will feature roller coasters, water rides and Wonderla’s signature high-thrill attractions, all built with the brand’s core values of thrill, safety and entertainment. Construction is now in advanced stage, with large-scale rides being installed.
FROM BLUEPRINT TO REALITY
According to Arun Chittilappilly, Managing Director, the project is firmly on track to open by December 2025. The company’s initial plans to commence construction by FY 2018 were delayed as it awaited tax exemptions from the Tamil Nadu government, followed by disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the company received a tax exemption for 10 years from the date of commencement of commercial operations, subject to the condition that operations must begin within two years of the order, ie., by 2 June 2025. Due to delays in the project and uncertainty about meeting the stipulated deadline, Wonderla submitted a formal request to the government, seeking a six-month extension, along with an exemption from local body tax for 10 years from the date of project completion. The extension was granted, allowing the park to be commissioned by 2 December 2025, while retaining the full 10-year tax exemption.
THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE FUN
“So far, we have incurred about Rs 480 crore and we may need to spend an additional Rs 120 – 130 crore to complete it,” said Saji Louiz, CFO. The Chennai park is expected to cater to a wide and diverse audience, including residents, domestic tourists, school and corporate groups. “Our strong presence in southern markets gives us confidence in Chennai park’s long-term potential. With disciplined capital deployment, primarily through internal accruals and qualified institutional placement proceeds, we remain well-positioned financially,” highlighted Chittilappilly.
BEYOND THE RIDES
As part of its long-term vision, Wonderla plans to integrate resort infrastructure into the Chennai park. This will transform it into a holistic leisure destination, offering both recreation and relaxation for visitors, building on the success of similar initiatives at its other locations. In Bengaluru, the company has extended its integrated amusement and hospitality offering with The Isle, a resort that offers a stay-and-play experience for its guests. The Rs 459 crore Wonderla Holidays Ltd. aims to operate 10 parks in the next 7–8 years.