Delhi Gymkhana Club seeks appointment with Housing Ministry, says priority to ensure operations continue without dislocation

New Delhi: Delhi Gymkhana Club on Saturday said that it wants to continue the operations without dislocation, after the Centre ordered the re-entry and resumption of the club premises situated at 2, Safdarjung Road, citing urgent public purpose and national interest considerations.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club has been directed to hand over possession of the property to government representatives before June 5, failing which possession would be taken in accordance with law.

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In response, the Officiating Secretary of the club urged a meeting appointment with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs officials.

The Secretary said that the club members have decided to write to the Land & Development Office (L&DO) of the ministry, as the issue involves the interests of the members and employees of the Club.

The Officiating Secretary said in a statement, "Pursuant to the sudden development, the GC today met on an urgent basis and after detailed deliberation decided to write an immediate response to L&DO requesting clarity on several issues in the interest of the members and employees of the Club."

"The communication also requests for an urgent appointment for the GC members to meet with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs officials. The immediate priority of the GC is to ensure that the operations of the Club continue without dislocation. Further developments will be communicated after the response is received," the statement read.

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The government, however, had stated that the premises fall within a "highly sensitive and strategic area" of the national capital and are now critically required for strengthening defence infrastructure and other public security purposes.

The Centre said that the land is necessary for "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects" integrated with adjoining government land parcels.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club is regarded as one of the oldest and most prominent clubs in India. It shifted to its present location in 1913 and was then known as the "Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club", with Spencer Harcourt Butler serving as its first President.

After India attained Independence in 1947, the word "Imperial" was dropped, and the institution came to be known simply as the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The club traces its origins to July 1913.