Indian Air Force Hands Over 39.5-Acre Sports Complex Land to Union Ministry

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has handed over a 39.5-acre land parcel housing a sports complex, a swimming pool, and other amenities to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, an official stated on Friday.

The handover follows notices issued days prior by the Land and Development Office (L&DO), operating under the ministry, which directed the facility to return the land located on Lok Kalyan Marg.

According to officials, a joint team comprising members from the Defence Estates Office and the L&DO will conduct a survey to establish the boundaries of the transferred land. No official statement has been released regarding the specific future purpose for reclaiming this land parcel.

The sports complex is situated near the Delhi Race Club and Jaipur Polo Grounds, where the L&DO under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has also taken steps to reclaim land. Over the past few months, the Centre has expedited the process of reclaiming prime land parcels in this surrounding area.

Residents and workers near the Jaipur Polo Grounds and the Delhi Race Club reported that surrounding slum clusters have experienced demolitions over the last few weeks, with debris from the structures remaining in the area.

The government has initiated a broader review of prime land parcels near Lok Kalyan Marg through the L&DO over recent weeks, focusing on plots currently used for defence golf and sports facilities. Previously, the MoHUA asked the concerned entities to hand over the land housing the Air Force Golf Course.

In August, the department 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 Jaipur Polo Ground was also reclaimed from the India Polo Association, with the department citing broader public purposes, governance, and defence infrastructure projects.

Additionally, the department has initiated eviction proceedings against the Delhi Gymkhana Club to reclaim its 27-acre premises, referencing the need for defence infrastructure. That legal matter remains pending before the court.

"The recent reclamation of prime land parcels by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry highlights a significant shift in government asset management around key administrative zones like Lok Kalyan Marg. For businesses, developers, and policymakers monitoring urban infrastructure, these large-scale land transitions reflect changing priorities in public land usage, governance, and urban planning. Tracking how these reclaimed properties are ultimately utilized will provide valuable insights into future infrastructure and public project developments in the capital." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes