On Thursday morning, a huge fire engulfed the Kingdom of Dreams, a former iconic entertainment and cultural destination in Sector 29 of Gurugram. The building, which had been sealed since July 2022 following unpaid dues, was left devastated before the firefighters could reach the scene. No loss of life was reported because the venue remained vacant for almost three years.
Kingdom Of Dreams Meets With A Fire Accident
According to a report by Hindustan Times, fire personnel received a distress call at about 6:50 am, but when they arrived, much of the building had already turned to ashes. Black smoke billowed in the air as more than 10 fire engines hurried to douse the fire.
‘Six firefighting vehicles from the Sector 29 fire station were dispatched to the spot. Teams from Udyog Vihar, Bhim Nagar, Sector 37, and IMT Manesar were also sent on the spot. The efforts of almost three hours finally managed to bring the blaze under control,’ said Gulshan Kalra, Deputy Director (Technical), Haryana Fire and Emergency Services.
The reason behind the fire is still unclear. Nevertheless, the authorities are worried, as this is not the first incident of a fire at the Kingdom of Dreams. A fire erupted in the basement in July 2023, and safety issues were raised regarding the abandoned building.
Designed as a world-class cultural and entertainment hub, Kingdom of Dreams was a favourite tourist spot, offering live theatre and shows. Its famous ‘Culture Gully’, featuring cuisines from 16 states of India, is one of the main attractions. The complex used to host almost 700,000 tourists every year.
However, the property was closed due to financial issues. The Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) sealed the property in July 2022 for pending dues of ₹107 crore.
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Issues of Negligence And The Future Of The Property
The rising fire threats in vacant houses have raised the concern of experts. Vacant buildings that do not receive any form of regular maintenance are highly susceptible to these incidents. Authorities have promised an investigation into the cause of the fire and if there was any negligence or foul play involved.
What was once a cultural icon, the Kingdom of Dreams is now a hollow shell of its former self.
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Whether it will be reopened or continue to decline is unknown, but for the time being, it is a grim reminder of how financial mismanagement can destroy even the most renowned institutions.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons & Canva (For Representation)
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First Published: March 13, 2025 8:03 PM