The Air Force Golf Course on Lok Kalyan Marg was shut Wednesday, with the complex, which houses a sports arena and a swimming pool, being closed until further orders. A planned farewell for outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh was cancelled as a result. The decision came hours after the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Land and Development Office served a notice demanding the return of the 53‑acre site. The closure was announced at a briefing by the Air Force’s public affairs officer.
The notice is part of a broader drive to reclaim prime parcels near the capital’s most coveted stretch. In August, the ministry evicted the Delhi Race Club from its 53‑acre premises and seized the Jaipur Polo Ground from the India Polo Association. Delhi Gymkhana Club now faces similar proceedings over its 27‑acre property, a case still before the court.
Airmen and Agniveer personnel who relied on the complex’s training and recreation facilities will have to seek alternative arrangements. The sudden shutdown has already disrupted scheduled drills and morale‑boosting events.
Residents in the slum clusters surrounding the Jaipur Polo Grounds and Delhi Race Club have spoken of ongoing demolitions, with piles of rubble still littering the streets. The LDO’s actions have sparked protests from local community groups, who argue the land is being usurped for undisclosed defence projects. The Ministry’s earlier statement that the land is needed for "public purpose" has left many questions unanswered.
The court is expected to hear the eviction case next month, while the Ministry has urged all affected parties to hand over the land by the end of June. The Air Force will announce an alternative venue for the farewell ceremony once the legal process concludes.