News Desk: The Air Force Sports Complex on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi was closed to members from Wednesday, October 28, until further notice, amid a government move to reclaim the land on which the facility is located.
The complex, situated inside Race Course Air Force Station and close to the Prime Minister’s residence, features a golf course, swimming pool and restaurants. It is regularly used by serving and retired officials.
Several members confirmed that they had received messages from the authorities on Tuesday informing them about the closure. The message stated that the complex would remain closed from 5 am on October 28 until further orders.
The development comes as the government seeks to take back land previously allotted to the Indian Air Force. According to people familiar with the matter, the Air Force had been permitted to operate the sports complex, but the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently communicated that the land was required by the government.
A person familiar with the matter said the government had taken possession of the golf course, arguing that the land belonged to the government and did not require a court order for the takeover.
An Indian Air Force spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
The closure is part of a broader effort by the Centre to reclaim several prominent properties in the national capital. In recent months, the government has initiated action involving other well-known clubs and recreational facilities, citing the need to use public land for official purposes.
On May 22, the Centre issued a notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, directing it to hand over its premises to the Land and Development Office. The government invoked a public-purpose clause in the original lease agreement, stating that the land was needed to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club has challenged the termination of its perpetual lease deed in the Delhi High Court.
In another development, the Centre took possession of the Jaipur Polo Ground after a Delhi court declined to grant a stay on its eviction from the 15-acre property.
The latest closure highlights the government's ongoing efforts to regain control of land allocated to institutions and recreational facilities in Delhi. However, the authorities have not announced a timeline for reopening the Air Force Sports Complex, leaving members uncertain about when access to the facility will resume.
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