Nearly 600 employees of the historic Delhi Gymkhana Club are facing an uncertain future following a directive from the Central government ordering the club to vacate its premises by June 5. The order has left the staff anxious about their job security and the lack of any clear transition plans.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Land and Development Office (L&DO), operating under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, issued the eviction notice. The notice states that the 27.3-acre land, situated in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, is required for “urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public interest project,” including enhancements to defence-related infrastructure.
The directive explicitly states, “the premises shall be taken over by the Land and Development Office on June 5.” The communication, dated May 22, specified that the land at 2, Safdarjung Road, was initially leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd (now Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd) for the purpose of operating a social and sporting club. However, it is now deemed necessary for broader public purpose projects that are linked with adjacent government-owned land.
Inside the sprawling compound, located in close proximity to Lok Kalyan Marg, an atmosphere of unease prevailed on Saturday evening. Employees reported that they had not received any formal briefing from the club’s management regarding the next steps or potential outcomes.
One staff member shared that the workers only recently became aware of the government’s order and were unsettled by its abrupt nature. “There has been no formal meeting with employees so far. Most of us are still waiting for clarity on what happens to our jobs after June 5,” the employee stated.
The affected staff includes individuals who have dedicated decades of service to maintaining the club’s extensive facilities. A gardener, who has worked at the club for 17 years tending to the tennis lawns, described hearing the news while performing his routine duties. “I was on the lawn, cutting the grass and maintaining the court area as part of my regular duty when someone told me around 4 pm that the club may be shut down by early June,” he recounted.
He further added that there was no prior indication from the administration throughout the day, with workers processing the information informally as it circulated among staff. “Nothing like this has ever happened in all these years of working here. We just heard it suddenly while doing our work. There was no notice or warning before this,” the gardener said.
A club official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that internal discussions were underway concerning legal and administrative options. The official emphasized that the abrupt closure of such a large institution presented significant complexities. “This is a very large institution with a long history and a prominent membership base. An immediate shutdown without transition is not practically feasible,” the official commented.
Other workers expressed growing anxiety due to the lack of communication from the administration, with many uncertain about whether their salaries, employment contracts, or potential redeployment opportunities would be secured. Employees directly employed by the club are experiencing a greater degree of confusion compared to those employed by external entities operating within the premises.
Two women working at a private café leased within the club premises stated that their situation was comparatively clearer, as they are employed by a separate company. “If the cafe shuts here, we will likely be transferred to another outlet,” one of them said, highlighting that the uncertainty was more severe for direct club employees. “People who are directly employed by the club have no clarity at all. There is a lot of confusion,” she added.
Another staff member reiterated that the club’s management had not been given advance notice of the order and no alternative arrangements had been communicated. “We came to know about this only recently. There was no prior discussion. Meetings are going on and the next steps, including legal options, are being examined,” the official confirmed.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club is situated on a piece of land considered one of the city’s most valuable and strategically significant parcels. It is located within a high-security administrative zone that hosts several key central government and defence establishments.
Established during the British colonial era, the club commenced operations at its current site in 1913 under the name Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club. Following India’s independence, it was renamed the Delhi Gymkhana Club, with the existing structures being built in the 1930s.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
