Delhi High Court Raises Alarm Over Loss of Green Spaces Amid Land Dispute

The Delhi High Court critiques the Centre's move to reclaim land from the Indian Polo Association and Delhi Gymkhana Club. Concern centers around dwindling green spaces, which threatens the city's livability. The land is earmarked for defense infrastructure, prompting legal challenges from affected institutions.

The Delhi High Court has voiced significant concerns regarding the Central government's decision to reclaim land currently used by the Indian Polo Association (IPA) and other institutions, such as the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The Court warned that the reduction of green areas could further degrade Delhi's already precarious livability standards.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, presiding over the case against an eviction notice for the 15.20-acre Jaipur Polo Ground in the Race Course area, remarked that Delhi's battle with pollution and lack of open spaces is intensified by such proposals. The Centre argued that the land was needed for defense infrastructure and public purposes, a stance reiterated by government lawyer Ashish Dixit, who highlighted the scarcity of available land in central Delhi.

However, the Court questioned the possibility of increased construction and high-rise development in these critical green areas, also citing concerns over nearby heritage properties. The Indian Polo Association has filed for interim relief against the eviction order, with further hearings scheduled. Meanwhile, the government also targets the land occupied by the Delhi Gymkhana Club, claiming it is required for essential governance and public-interest projects.