Parts of Delhi Gymkhana sealed over rule breach

Continuing with the sealing drive, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Thursday sealed the swimming pool and health/fitness area of the tony Gymkhana Club located close to the Prime Minister's residence in Lutyen's Delhi for "unauthourised construction". The special technical cell of the civic body, on directions of the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee, sealed the two large portions of the club for "violating building norms".

"The club had constructed these facilities without approval from the civic body," a senior NDMC official said. "They had applied for permission, however, since it comes under a heritage area, we had sent the proposal to the heritage committee of the urban development ministry. However, the Club did not wait for the approval."

The NDMC catering to Lutyen's Delhi is governed by the Union Urban Development Ministry. When contacted, the club's secretary did not comment on the issue.

The civic body sealed six basements in A-block of Connaught Place on Thursday. It had sealed 10 basements in M and N blocks a day before.