The Centre has directed the Delhi Gymkhana Club to hand over its sprawling premises in Lutyens’ Delhi by June 5, saying the land is required for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure” and other public-interest projects.
In an order issued on May 22, the Land & Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said the lease of the 27.3-acre property at 2, Safdarjung Road has been terminated with immediate effect.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club, located next to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, stands in one of the most sensitive and high-security zones of the national capital.
According to the order, the land was originally leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd — now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, for maintaining a social and sporting club.
However, the government said the premises are now “critically required” for defence infrastructure, governance-related facilities and other public security purposes.
“In exercise of the powers conferred under Clause 4 of the Lease Deed, the President of India, through the Land & Development Office, hereby determines the lease and orders re-entry of the aforesaid premises with immediate effect,” the order stated.
The government further said that once possession is taken over, the entire land parcel along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings would “vest absolutely” with the President of India through the L&DO.
The club has been directed to hand over peaceful possession of the property to government representatives on June 5. The order warned that if the premises are not vacated voluntarily, possession would be taken “in accordance with law”.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club is among the capital’s oldest and most exclusive institutions. Established during the British era as the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club, it began functioning at the site in 1913 and was renamed after Independence. Most of its present buildings were constructed in the 1930s.
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