Amid soaring land rates, it might be surprising to know that more than 160 acres of land was being leased out for just Rs 614.13 in Tamil Nadu until recently. This valuable land, originally leased during the British era to a racing club, has now been reclaimed by the state government.
In 1946, a total of 160.86 acres were leased to the Madras Race Club in Venkatpuram (Adyar) and Velachery for horse racing and other recreational activities. Of this, 4.90 acres were allocated for a swimming pool, 3.86 acres to the Tamil Nadu Urban Housing Development Board, and 3.78 acres for public roads, leaving 148.32 acres with the Race Club.
The Tamil Nadu government on Monday terminated the lease of this 148.32 acres of land located in Chennai’s Guindy area and took possession of it.
On Monday morning, revenue officials, accompanied by police, arrived at the Race Club campus and sealed its gates. They posted a notice from the Chennai District Collector on the gate explaining the reasons for terminating the lease.
Some trainers and jockeys were forced to stay outside. Around 500 horses were locked in the stable. An employee at the race club said that the horses needed immediate care and fodder. Golf club members also had to cancel their morning activities.
On Friday, September 6, Principal Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department P. Amudha issued an order in this regard stating, “The government, after reviewing the District Collector’s report and considering the land’s needs, has decided to terminate the lease with Madras Race Club and reclaim the land.”
The order directed the Chennai Collector to take immediate possession of the land. It also stated that the Madras Race Club could apply to the District Collector, Chennai, to remove any property from the land within 14 days.
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