The Indian Union Government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its premises by June 5, 2026 [1, 2].
The move involves the reclamation of high-value land in Lutyens' Delhi, a strategic zone located near the Prime Minister's residence. This action highlights the government's priority to expand security and military facilities within the capital's most sensitive administrative district.
The order was issued by the Land & Development Office under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs [1]. The government said the need to strengthen and secure defense infrastructure and public security in the capital was the primary reason for the takeover [1, 3].
The property in question is a 27.3-acre plot situated on Safdarjung Road [1, 4]. Established in 1913 [5], the club has long been a fixture of the city's social and political landscape. The sudden deadline for evacuation creates immediate uncertainty for the organization's operations.
Beyond the institutional impact, the order affects the workforce. Approximately 600 employees face uncertainty regarding their employment status as the club prepares to hand over the land [6].
Some members of the community have expressed distress over the decision. "I feel sad," Capt. Seshadri said [7].
The Delhi Gymkhana Club must now coordinate the transfer of the property to the Centre to meet the June 5 deadline [1, 6].
“The government said the need to strengthen and secure defense infrastructure and public security in the capital.”
The reclamation of this land reflects a broader trend of the Indian government prioritizing security and administrative expansion in the Lutyens' zone. By converting a private social club into state-controlled defense infrastructure, the Centre is consolidating control over a critical security perimeter surrounding the nation's top leadership.
