Why Are Golf Courses Being Built on Defence Land?
The use of valuable government-owned defence land for golf courses has raised questions about the priorities governing military land, recreational facilities and the welfare of personnel across different ranks of the Indian Armed Forces.
A key parliamentary development on this issue came through Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 945, answered on 25 July 2025, concerning the use of defence land for golf courses. The question was raised by Shri Matheswaran V. S., seeking clarification on whether golf courses are authorised on defence land, the use of A1 land by the Indian Air Force, the handling of golf course revenues and the continued use of defence land for such facilities.
The Government’s reply, provided by Shri Sanjay Seth, Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence, acknowledged that golf courses do not fall within the scales authorised by the Government for construction on defence land, including A1 defence land. However, the Government also stated that it had no proposal to revoke the conversion of defence land into golf courses.
This response raises important questions about land-use policy, accountability, military training requirements and equitable access to recreational facilities for serving personnel.
What Did the Government Say in Parliament?
The parliamentary question covered five major issues concerning golf courses and defence land.
| Issue raised in Parliament | Government’s response |
|---|---|
| Whether golf courses fall within authorised scales for recreation on defence land | The Government replied that golf courses do not fall within the authorised scales for construction on defence land, including A1 land. |
| Use of A1 land and assets for six Indian Air Force golf courses | The response referred to sports complexes and physical development areas at Air Force Stations and training institutes. |
| Use of non-public funds for golf course-related facilities | The Government stated that subscriptions and membership fees support the sustenance of sports complexes and are deposited in non-public funds. |
| Whether the Government proposes to revoke conversion of defence land into golf courses | The Government answered in the negative. |
| Use of 53 acres of defence land by US Club, Mumbai | The Government stated that the land is used as an Army Navy Environmental Park and Training Area (ANEPTA), jointly managed by the Army and Navy. |
The reply is significant because it distinguishes between the authorised scales for construction on defence land and the Government’s decision not to revoke the existing land-use arrangements.
Golf Courses Are Not Included in the Authorised Scales for Defence Land
One of the most important statements in the Government’s reply concerns the authorisation of golf courses on defence land.
In response to parts (a) and (b) of the question, the Ministry of Defence stated:
“Golf courses do not fall under the scales authorised by the Government for construction on defence land including A1 defence land.”
The Government further explained that Air Force Stations, including training institutes, have sports complexes and physical development areas for training and sporting activities.
This raises a fundamental policy question: if golf courses are not included in the authorised scales for construction on defence land, under what administrative arrangements have existing facilities been established and maintained?
The parliamentary answer does not provide a station-wise list of golf courses, details of individual land allotments, or the specific approvals governing each facility. These details would be necessary to assess the circumstances of individual installations.
It is therefore important to distinguish between the Government’s stated policy position and any conclusion that a particular golf course has been constructed illegally. The parliamentary answer, by itself, does not establish the legality or illegality of every existing facility.
A1 Defence Land and the Importance of Proper Land Utilisation
A1 defence land is an important category in the classification of defence land. Its use is governed by the applicable defence land administration rules, instructions and authorised purposes.
Defence land is a valuable public resource reserved for military requirements, operational preparedness, training, accommodation, infrastructure and other approved activities. Its use for recreational purposes must be examined in the context of applicable authorisations and the intended purpose of the land.
The issue becomes particularly important where land is located in major military stations or strategically significant establishments.
Questions concerning golf courses and recreational facilities have also drawn attention to installations such as Fort William, now known as Vijay Durg, in Kolkata, and other important military stations. Any specific allegation concerning a particular station, however, should be examined against official land records, sanctioned plans and the applicable permissions.
The Lok Sabha reply on Question No. 945 does not itself provide a verified, station-wise inventory establishing the status of every golf course mentioned in public discussions.
Questions that require clarification
The following issues merit examination by the competent defence authorities:
- What is the total area of defence land occupied by golf courses across Army, Navy and Air Force establishments?
- Which facilities have been approved by the competent authority, and under what specific rules or orders?
- What is the classification of the land occupied by each facility?
- Are the facilities being used primarily for authorised military training and physical development, or for recreational activities?
- What are the annual maintenance costs, sources of funding and revenue arrangements for each facility?
A transparent, station-wise disclosure would help distinguish authorised military sports infrastructure from facilities whose purpose or approval requires further scrutiny.
Equal Access to Recreation for Officers, JCOs and Other Ranks
Another important dimension of this issue concerns the availability of recreational facilities across different ranks.
The Indian Armed Forces operate through a structured hierarchy comprising commissioned officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (OR). Personnel across these categories contribute to operational readiness, training, administration and the performance of military duties.
Concerns have been raised that certain golf facilities located on defence land are primarily accessible to commissioned officers, while JCOs and Other Ranks may have limited or no access except when assigned supporting duties.
Where such restrictions exist, they raise legitimate questions about the purpose of public defence land and the equitable provision of welfare and recreational facilities.
However, the parliamentary answer to Question No. 945 does not establish a universal rule that JCOs and Other Ranks are prohibited from using all military golf courses. Nor does it provide a verified list of membership rules for individual establishments. Access conditions must therefore be assessed facility by facility.
The broader policy question remains relevant: if a facility occupies government-owned defence land, what criteria govern access, and how are those criteria connected to military training, sports development and personnel welfare?
Military welfare should include all ranks
A balanced approach to military recreation should consider the needs of officers, JCOs, Other Ranks, serving personnel, and other eligible beneficiaries under the relevant rules.
Facilities such as sports grounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, running tracks and physical training areas can directly support fitness and operational preparedness. Where specialised recreational facilities are maintained, the authorities should clearly explain their approved purpose, eligibility criteria and funding arrangements.
The objective should not be to deny legitimate recreation to any category of personnel. It should be to ensure that public defence resources are used transparently, in accordance with applicable rules and with due regard to the welfare of the entire military community.
Golf Course Revenue and Non-Public Funds
The handling of revenue generated by recreational facilities was another important issue raised in Parliament.
The question specifically asked whether revenues from golf courses were deposited into non-public funds despite the use of defence land and buildings.
The Ministry of Defence responded that training funds are used for the maintenance of Army Environment Park-cum-Training Areas, while the sustenance of sports complexes is met through subscription and membership fees deposited in non-public funds for their administrative management.
This explanation identifies the funding arrangements described by the Government. It does not, however, provide a detailed account of the income and expenditure of individual golf courses.
Why financial transparency matters
Where government-owned land and infrastructure support a facility, it is reasonable to seek clarity on the following matters:
- The annual expenditure on maintenance, repairs, utilities and staff.
- The amount collected through subscriptions, membership fees and other permitted charges.
- The rules governing the collection, custody and utilisation of funds.
- The extent of support, if any, from public defence funds.
- The applicable audit and administrative oversight arrangements.
The distinction between public funds and non-public funds is important. The mere deposit of membership fees into a non-public fund does not, by itself, establish financial irregularity. Likewise, the use of non-public funds does not automatically answer every question about the authorisation or suitability of the underlying land use.
A complete assessment would require the applicable financial rules, audited accounts and records of expenditure for the facilities concerned.
The US Club, Mumbai, and the 53-Acre Land Question
The parliamentary question also specifically referred to the use of 53 acres of defence land by the US Club in Mumbai.
In response, the Government stated that the land is utilised as an Army Navy Environmental Park and Training Area (ANEPTA), jointly managed by the Indian Army and Indian Navy.
According to the reply, the area encompasses two firing ranges and an obstacle course used by garrison units for:
- Small-arms firing.
- Weapon training.
- Fieldcraft.
- Obstacle training.
- Other sports and physical development exercises.
This response presents the Government’s stated purpose for the land. It does not, by itself, provide a complete account of every activity undertaken within the area or establish the precise relationship between the club referred to in the question and the training facilities described in the answer.
To resolve the issue comprehensively, the relevant authorities could clarify the land’s recorded classification, sanctioned use, management arrangements, access conditions and the facilities actually operating on the site.
Such clarification would help establish whether the land is being used consistently with its approved military and training purposes.
Will the Government Revoke the Conversion of Defence Land into Golf Courses?
Perhaps the most consequential part of the parliamentary reply was the Government’s response to part (d) of the question.
The Member of Parliament asked whether the Government proposed to revoke the conversion of defence land into golf courses.
The Government’s answer was: “No Sir.”
This means that the Government stated that it had no proposal to revoke the conversion of defence land into golf courses at the time of the parliamentary reply on 25 July 2025.
The answer does not explain in detail why no such proposal was under consideration. It also does not provide a facility-wise assessment of existing arrangements or clarify whether the Government had considered alternative uses for the land.
It would therefore be inappropriate to infer from this brief answer that all existing golf courses have been individually reviewed and found compliant with every applicable rule. Equally, the answer does not establish that every facility must be closed.
A meaningful policy review would examine the original approvals, the current use of each site, its operational or training value, the availability of alternative facilities and the applicable rules governing defence land.
What Should the Ministry of Defence Clarify?
The parliamentary reply has provided an important starting point for public discussion, but several practical questions remain unanswered.
A comprehensive review could address the following areas.
A. Station-wise list of golf courses
The Ministry could publish a consolidated list of golf courses located on defence land, identifying the service concerned, the military station, the area occupied and the recorded land classification.
B. Details of approval and authorisation
For each facility, the authorities could identify the relevant approval, the competent authority and the applicable instructions governing construction, conversion and use.
C. Purpose and actual utilisation
The authorities could distinguish between golf courses maintained as recreational facilities and land designated for broader sports, physical development or military training purposes.
D. Access and membership rules
Clear information about eligibility and access for commissioned officers, JCOs, Other Ranks and other eligible personnel would help address concerns about the distribution of military recreational facilities.
E. Funding and audit
The Ministry could clarify the funding sources, membership-fee arrangements, maintenance expenditure and audit procedures applicable to each category of facility.
F. Review of existing land-use arrangements
Where the current use of a site differs from its authorised purpose, the competent authority could examine the matter under the applicable rules and take appropriate action where warranted.
These steps would support accountability without presuming wrongdoing in the absence of verified evidence.
Why This Issue Matters to Ex-Servicemen and the Wider Defence Community
The management of defence land is not merely an administrative question. It concerns the responsible use of public resources intended to support national security and the functioning of the Armed Forces.
Serving personnel, veterans and their families have a legitimate interest in how defence infrastructure is planned, maintained and prioritised.
When questions arise about the use of valuable defence land for recreational facilities, the central concern should be whether the arrangements are authorised, transparent and consistent with the needs of the service.
This discussion should also recognise that sports and physical recreation can contribute to fitness, morale and unit cohesion. The issue is not whether military personnel should have recreational facilities, but whether their construction, funding, access and continued operation are consistent with the applicable policy.
A transparent and rules-based approach can protect legitimate military training requirements while ensuring that land and infrastructure are managed responsibly.
Conclusion
The Lok Sabha reply to Unstarred Question No. 945, answered on 25 July 2025, is an important reference point in the discussion about golf courses on defence land.
The Government expressly stated that golf courses do not fall within the authorised scales for construction on defence land, including A1 land. It also explained the funding arrangements for sports complexes and described the US Club, Mumbai-related land as an Army Navy Environmental Park and Training Area used for military training and physical development. At the same time, the Government stated that it had no proposal to revoke the conversion of defence land into golf courses.
The reply leaves important questions about individual approvals, land classification, access rules, financial transparency and the actual use of existing facilities.
A station-wise review, supported by official land records and financial disclosures, would help establish the facts and identify whether any corrective action is required.
For the Indian Armed Forces, the guiding principle should be straightforward: defence land must be used in accordance with authorised purposes, applicable rules and the legitimate requirements of military preparedness and personnel welfare.
Official Parliamentary Reference
- House: Lok Sabha
- Question Number: Unstarred Question No. 945
- Subject: Use of Defence Land for Golf Course
- Date of Answer: 25 July 2025
- Member who raised the question: Shri Matheswaran V. S.
- Responding Minister: Shri Sanjay Seth, Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence
- Department: Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence
Readers should consult the official Lok Sabha question and answer for the authoritative text of the Government’s response.