The Center has taken over the 39.5-acre land parcel that houses the Indian Air Force (IAF) Sports Complex near the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. The property, which has a golf course, swimming pool and other recreational facilities, was handed over to the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on “as is where is” basis.
The acquisition follows the plant’s shutdown in late October. The move was part of a wider government push to reclaim land in the capital city, although the military’s top brass had voiced concerns about the strategic closeness and the institutional infrastructure. Similar drives for reclamation or termination of lease have been undertaken against high profile properties in the area, including the Delhi Race Club, Jaipur Polo Ground and Delhi Gymkhana Club, in the past few months.
The formal handover meant shutting down established community spaces, and disrupted traditional military farewell events held at the grounds. Now a joint survey by the Defense Estates Department, IAF and L&DO is planned to formally mark out boundaries and check the precise size of each plot. The administration has justified the extensive property grab for future institutional needs and governance infrastructure. But the authorities have yet to present a clear public vision or a specific development plan for the newly acquired land of the IAF sports facility.