Gurugram is set to take another step towards strengthening its position as a global business and investment destination, with the Haryana government planning a world-class convention centre on approximately 25 acres of land, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s internationally acclaimed Suntec City.
During his visit to Singapore, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inspected the facilities and operational systems at Suntec City to understand how a large-scale convention and business destination can integrate advanced technology, modern engineering, commercial activity and urban infrastructure. The visit was aimed at studying international practices that could be adapted to Haryana’s own plans for Gurugram.
The proposed convention centre is expected to become a major venue for international conferences, corporate meetings, exhibitions, business events and other large gatherings. According to the Chief Minister, the project will incorporate state-of-the-art technology and contemporary engineering standards, with the broader objective of giving Gurugram an infrastructure platform capable of hosting events of international scale.
The significance of the project extends beyond the construction of a single convention facility. Gurugram has emerged as one of India’s most prominent corporate and technology hubs, home to major multinational companies, financial institutions, start-ups and commercial establishments. The Haryana government sees the creation of high-quality global-standard infrastructure as an important part of consolidating that position and attracting greater investment and business activity.
Saini said the experience of examining Suntec City was particularly valuable because it offered an opportunity to study international best practices in convention infrastructure, modern urban development and the management of large public and commercial spaces. The intention, he indicated, is not simply to replicate a foreign model but to draw from successful international practices while developing infrastructure suited to Haryana’s economic ambitions.
A modern convention centre of this scale could also add a new dimension to Gurugram’s economic ecosystem. Large conferences and exhibitions typically generate demand across hospitality, transport, retail, tourism, food services and other supporting sectors. For a city already closely connected with national and international business networks, such infrastructure could strengthen its ability to compete for major events and corporate gatherings.
The Chief Minister also linked the proposed development to Haryana’s wider ambition of giving its major urban centres a more modern and globally competitive character. He said the convention centre would help enhance Gurugram’s international profile and could contribute to increased investment, commercial activity and economic growth in the state.
The Singapore visit also brought environmental planning into focus. At Gardens by the Bay, Saini examined systems related to environmental conservation, water management and the preservation of plant species. Particular attention was paid to the way advanced infrastructure can coexist with green spaces and resource-efficient urban planning.
The lessons from Singapore, the Chief Minister said, could be relevant to Haryana as it seeks to balance rapid urbanisation with environmental sustainability. The state’s development strategy, he indicated, would increasingly need to combine modern infrastructure with efficient water management, ecological protection and quality public spaces.
This approach is also being considered for Manesar, where the Haryana government plans to develop advanced infrastructure along with a large landscaped park. The proposed green space is intended to provide residents with an improved environment while supporting the broader development of the rapidly expanding industrial and urban area.
The emphasis on parks, water conservation and environmental systems alongside convention and commercial infrastructure reflects a wider shift in the way large urban projects are being conceived. For Haryana, the challenge is not merely to build bigger infrastructure but to create urban environments that can support economic growth while improving the quality of life for residents.
During his Singapore visit, the Chief Minister also interacted with tourists at Gardens by the Bay, including Indian visitors and foreign nationals, with several people taking photographs and selfies with him. The informal interactions added a public dimension to a visit otherwise focused largely on infrastructure, technology and urban development.
The Haryana delegation accompanying Saini included Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Industries and Commerce Department Commissioner and Secretary Dr Amit Kumar Agarwal, Director General Yash Garg, Director of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department Dr Aditya Dahiya and HSIDC Managing Director Vinay Pratap Singh, among other senior officials.
The proposed Gurugram convention centre, therefore, represents more than an individual infrastructure project. It forms part of Haryana’s larger effort to position Gurugram and other emerging urban centres as destinations capable of supporting global business, investment and international events. By studying Singapore’s experience in convention infrastructure, urban planning, environmental management and water conservation, the state government is seeking to bring international benchmarks into its own development agenda.
If successfully executed, the project could give Gurugram a significant new landmark while strengthening the city’s ability to host global events and attract investment. More importantly, the Singapore experience has placed a broader question at the centre of Haryana’s urban development strategy: how to combine economic ambition, advanced technology and international infrastructure with greener, more liveable cities. For a state seeking a larger role in India’s next phase of economic growth, that balance could prove as important as the scale of the projects themselves.
