The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally handed over 39.5 acres of land housing its Sports Complex at Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi to the Land and Development Office (L&DO), completing the transfer of a prime government land parcel located close to the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
CENTRE'S DRIVE TO RECLAIM PRIME LANDThe handover is part of a broader exercise by the Centre to review and reclaim prime land parcels around the Prime Minister's residence, including plots being used for defence golf courses and sports facilities.
The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry had earlier directed the entities concerned to return the land housing the Air Force Golf Course.
In August, the L&DO evicted the Delhi Race Club from its 53-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg, citing the requirement of the land for an unspecified public purpose.
The latest transfer of the Air Force Sports Complex adds another sizeable parcel to the list of properties being reclaimed as the Centre undertakes a wider exercise involving government land around Lok Kalyan Marg.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally handed over 39.5 acres of land housing its Sports Complex at Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi to the Land and Development Office (L&DO), completing the transfer of a prime government land parcel located close to the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
The transfer has been completed on an "as is where is" basis, as part of the Centre's wider drive to reclaim high-value government land parcels in the area surrounding Lok Kalyan Marg. A joint survey involving the Defence Estate Office, the IAF and the L&DO will now establish the exact extent of the land and check for any variations in its measurements.
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The sports complex, which featured a golf course, swimming pool, badminton courts and other facilities, was shut down last Wednesday, days before the formal handover. The L&DO, which functions under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, had issued eviction notices to the complex's management, directing it to return the land.
As reported by India Today, the closure also meant that former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh could not hold the traditional 'golfing-out' ceremony at the facility before his retirement on October 31.
CENTRE'S DRIVE TO RECLAIM PRIME LAND
The handover is part of a broader exercise by the Centre to review and reclaim prime land parcels around the Prime Minister's residence, including plots being used for defence golf courses and sports facilities.
The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry had earlier directed the entities concerned to return the land housing the Air Force Golf Course.
The government has also taken back other prominent properties in the area. In August, the L&DO evicted the Delhi Race Club from its 53-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg, citing the requirement of the land for an unspecified public purpose.
The Centre also reclaimed the Jaipur Polo Ground from the India Polo Association, citing broader public purposes, governance requirements and defence infrastructure projects.
The latest transfer of the Air Force Sports Complex adds another sizeable parcel to the list of properties being reclaimed as the Centre undertakes a wider exercise involving government land around Lok Kalyan Marg.
- Ends
With PTI inputs
