NEW DELHI: The Delhi Race Club quietly turned 100 on March 8. Yet, instead of celebrating the milestone, the club now finds itself confronting an uncertain future after receiving a notice from the Land and Development Office (L&DO), under the Union ministry of urban affairs, to vacate the sprawling 53.2-acre property on Lok Kalyan Marg within 15 days.The notice has come as a shock to hundreds of families whose livelihoods depend on the club — including members, horse owners, trainers, jockeys, suppliers and vendors. Uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, with the management unsure about where or how operations could be shifted. The club plans to approach the ministry again on Monday, hoping for a sympathetic review.
“While the decision was verbally conveyed to us on March 6, despite our presenting the factual position, a formal vacation notice was served by the L&DO on March 13,” said Col. S.K. Bakshi (Retd), secretary and CEO of the Delhi Race Club. “The management has been holding meetings, but the question remains — where will all of us go? These horses are not ordinary animals. They require specialised care and training, and relocating them will be an extremely complex task. Also, the place is centrally located.”Following the notice, the club management informed all stakeholders of the situation. In a circular issued on March 14, the club stated: “After the recent eviction notice, all of you may take your own informed decisions to safeguard your interests and manage your affairs accordingly.”For decades, the venue — known for its distinctive horseshoe-shaped track — has been a prominent destination for horse racing enthusiasts. Over the years, races held at the club have attracted dignitaries and celebrities.The land on which the club stands was first leased to it on March 8, 1926. Originally known as the Delhi Gymkhana Race Club, the institution was established to promote horse racing and the breeding of Indian horses, and governed by elected members and government nominees. Much of the land and surroundings were developed by British architects in the 1920s. It was formally incorporated in 1940–41 as the Delhi Race Club (1940) Limited, the name under which it continues to operate today.For workers like Nemi Pasvan, the club is more than just a workplace — it is a lifetime of memories. A native of Nalanda in Bihar, Pasvan arrived here 45 years ago with relatives to work as a stable groom.“Within ten days I had learned everything — feeding the horses, cleaning the stables, grooming them and preparing them for riding,” he recalled. “I started this job at a salary of just Rs 250 a month.” His future now looks uncertain. “We still don’t know what will happen after this notice. If the decision goes through, people like us will be left jobless at this age,” he said.Another worker, Chumchum, proudly introduces himself as the groomer of ‘Treasure’ — a well-known horse, joined by nearly 250 others in the stables, and a multiple race winner.While the L&DO has stated that the land is required for larger planning and development purposes, sources indicate that the site may eventually be utilised as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.According to the L&DO notice, the lease was extended periodically, with the last extension valid until December 31, 1994. “After its expiry, no further extension or renewal was granted, therefore it has to be vacated,” the notice stated.Officials also noted that this is the second such notice issued in the past eight years. The department had earlier served a similar notice in November 2017. Three slums near the club were issued vacation notices earlier.Two years ago, the L&DO had proposed two alternative sites for relocating the club—including one in Delhi, but discussions failed to progress. Club officials say shifting operations would be a massive undertaking. “Developing a racing track itself takes a long time, running into years. 15 days are nothing,” said an office bearer.
