The Land and Development Office has completed the transfer of the Indian Air Force sports complex at Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi. The IAF formally handed over 39.5 acres of land after the completion of the formalities of transferring the prime government land parcel located close to the Prime Minister’s official residence.
The 30 acres facility situated close to the Prime Minister’s residence houses the oldest golf course, swimming pool, badminton courts and other sports infrastructure and meeting and ball rooms which are used by Air Force personnel. Following the handover, a joint survey involving the Defence Estate Office, the IAF and the L&DO will be conducted to establish the exact extent of the land parcel and check for any discrepancies in the measurement.
According to sources, the sports complex had been shut for days before the formal transfer to the government was initiated. The closure and subsequent transfer affected the longstanding Air Force tradition, as former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh could not hold the customary golfing-out ceremony before his retirement on October 31.
The takeover stemmed against the backdrop of a series of eviction orders issued by the Centre to high-profile institutions in Lutyens’ Delhi, including the Delhi Gymkhana Club, Delhi Race Club, Jaipur Polo Ground and a part of the Sujan Singh Park complex this year, citing the requirement of the land for public purpose.