Govt takes over 39.5-acre Air Force Sports Complex near PM's residence in Delhi

The Centre has taken possession of 39.5 acres of land housing the Indian Air Force's Sports Complex at Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi, following its formal handover to the Land and Development Office (L&DO), according to an India Today report. The prime government land parcel is located close to the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The move is part of a wider government exercise involving properties such as the Delhi Race Club, Jaipur Polo Ground and Delhi Gymkhana Club. These establishments have either been taken over by the government or had their leases terminated in recent months.

Delhi land reclamation: Air Force Sports Complex joins list of properties taken over

The Air Force Sports Complex is among several prominent sporting and recreational establishments in the vicinity of Lok Kalyan Marg, formerly known as Race Course Road, that have come under the government's land reclamation exercise.

The facility includes a golf course, other sporting infrastructure, a swimming pool and eateries. According to a 2024 Delhi High Court judgment, the complex is governed by a council of serving Air Force officers.


Its closure also disrupted a farewell event planned for Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who was scheduled to retire on October 31. The event was expected to follow the traditional 'golfing out' format, as the IAF chief serves as the patron-in-chief of the facility.

Other properties affected by the government's action include:

• Delhi Race Club: The government took possession of its race track on August 27, following a notice issued in March.
• Jaipur Polo Ground: The Centre took possession of the ground on June 13 after the L&DO issued a notice to the polo association in March.
• Delhi Gymkhana Club: The government terminated its lease in May, citing the requirement for the land for institutional and public-interest purposes.

Why is the government reclaiming prime land near Lok Kalyan Marg?

The Centre's stated position on the land reclamation exercise became clearer in May, when the L&DO terminated the Delhi Gymkhana Club's lease. In its communication, the office described the location as a "highly sensitive and strategic area" and said the land was required for "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects" that could be integrated with adjoining government land.

Air Force Sports Complex land ownership: What did the 2014 submission reveal?

Questions surrounding the ownership and formal allotment of the land occupied by the Air Force Sports Complex have also emerged during the reclamation exercise.

In a 2014 submission to the Central Information Commission, the Defence Estates Officer for Delhi stated that the Air Force occupied 126.948 acres of land belonging to the Urban Development Ministry in the Race Course area.

According to the submission, while 100 acres had been allotted to the Defence Ministry in the area, only 52.80 acres had been formally transferred.

The officer also stated that the sports complex was "apparently" situated on Urban Development Ministry land occupied by the Air Force Station.

The Urban Development Ministry has since been incorporated into the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Its L&DO is overseeing the process of reclaiming the land occupied by the sports complex.


Inputs from agencies