Delhi Gymkhana
# Delhi Gymkhana

The Delhi Gymkhana Club or Delhi Gymkhana is a club in New Delhi. It is located on 2, Safdarjung Road.

## History

Originally called the 'Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club', it was founded on 3 July 1913, at Coronation Grounds, Delhi. Its first president was Spencer Harcourt Butler, first governor of the then United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1928, the club was allotted 27.3 acres (110,000 $m^2)$ of land in the new imperial capital of India, New Delhi, on a perpetual lease. The word imperial was dropped when India gained independence in 1947.

The club is located in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi on Safdarjung Road, per the site plan drawn up by Sir Edwin Lutyens as part of his grand design for Imperial Celebrations. Lutyens Delhi - the eighth in line - was built in an area littered with stones, tombs, domes, ruined walls and gardens of imperial former capitals - the historic crossroads and battlegrounds of India.

## Controversy

In July 2014, Government of Delhi launched a crackdown on the club for its failure to pay luxury tax dues amounting to Rs 2.92 crore for the past three years.

In August 2014 it was reported that the club has been using unauthorized bore wells and violating environmental rules. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee in August 2014 ordered closure of the Delhi Gymkhana Club; however, National Green Tribunal has asked the club to pay a penalty of Rs. 5 lakh fine to avoid closure.

