New Delhi: The proposed takeover of an Air Force sports complex in central Delhi has raised concerns within the Indian Air Force. The dispute involves around 40 acres at Race Course Air Force Station, where the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is seeking to reclaim land currently used by the Air Force.
Days before his retirement, former Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh took up the matter with the defence minister, Rajnath Singh. On October 26, he asked the minister to reconsider the proposed transfer and keep the land under IAF control, Hindustan Times reported.
In his letter, he said the station supports Air Headquarters and provides facilities for more than 5,000 personnel. These include accommodation, training centres for airmen and Agniveervayus, a medical centre, a school and a unit-run canteen.
The station also has security responsibilities. It helps deal with unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats during activities coordinated by the Delhi Integrated Air Defence Centre (DIADC).
The Air Force Sports Complex was closed on October 28 until further orders. It includes a golf course, swimming pool, fitness centre, guest cottages and restaurants used by serving and retired Air Force personnel.
The closure also led to the cancellation of ACM Singh’s farewell golf event.
The Race Course land is part of a wider government effort to reclaim properties near the prime minister’s residence. According to report, the Delhi Gymkhana Club and Jaipur Polo Ground are also among the properties involved.
The land and development office (L&DO), which comes under MoHUA, has completed a survey of the sports complex. However, the government has not publicly explained what it plans to do with the land or confirmed that its transfer has been completed.
The station has a history dating back to the World War II. The Royal Air Force established its New Delhi station in 1942, while parachute training was taking place at the nearby Willingdon airport.
After Independence, the Royal Indian Air Force set up No 10 Administrative Wing there on September 1, 1947. It brought several departments, including the Signals Centre, No 1 Radar Unit, Record Office, Central Accounts Office and medical services, under one administration.
The station also provided transport and logistical support during the 1947-48 Kashmir war. During the 1971 India-Pakistan war, it housed 15 Pakistani air force prisoners of war, including flight Lieutenant Pervaiz Mehdi Qureshi, who later became chief of the Pakistan Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the 29th IAF chief on Sunday, succeeding ACM AP Singh. In his first public remarks after taking over, he said the training, professional excellence, morale, safety, welfare and dignity of Air Force personnel would receive his personal attention. According to report, Dixit is expected to take the Race Course land matter forward.