If the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has its way one of the landmarks of Delhi, especially when it comes to entertainment for both kids as well as adults - Appu Ghar - might soon become just a chapter in Delhi's history. The DDA on Monday cleared a proposal to change the land use of the site where Appu Ghar was located from "recreational" to "government office" in order to pave way for the construction of a Supreme Court office complex here. This move has taken Appu Ghar — the amusement park which runs from the vicinity — one step closer to its imminent closure at the present site.

But, according to the DDA officials, they were not be blamed for this as the decision to allot this land to the Supreme Court (SC) had already been taken way back by the Land and Development Office and they had just completed a formality by changing the land usage of the plot from recreational to office use.

The Union Urban Development Ministry had, in August this year, allotted the 12.19 acre of land belonging to India Trade Promotion Organization to the Supreme Court for construction of its new wing comprising offices, record room, lawyers’ chambers, auditorium and a library. The India Trade Promotion Organization had earlier given this particular plot to Appu Ghar on lease which had since terminated and the ITPO had not renewed it further. 

Following the cancellation of the lease by ITPO, Appu Ghar officials had moved the Delhi High Court seeking its renewal and the matter was still pending before the High Court. Unless this matter gets sorted out, the apex court could not start work on the expansion plans. However, once this matter reached a conclusion, Appu Ghar would have to make way for the Supreme Court office complex, lawyers chambers, libraries, record rooms and parking space in an area of 12.19 acres.

But there is still time before the decision is enforced as there are still several procedures to be completed before the DDA's proposal gets the final stamp of approval. The proposal will first have to be sent to the union urban development ministry which would issue a public notification, inviting objections and suggestions. These would then be examined by DDA which would be required to approve the proposal with the suggested changes. It would then finally be sent to the urban development ministry which would issue a notification to the effect.

Earlier, in 2005, Appu Ghar had parted with around 2.1 acres of its land for the construction of the Pragati Maidan Metro station. When the DMRC asked for another 1.5 acres, the Appu Ghar management had cited its pending dispute with ITPO in the HC as the reason for not parting with more land. The hearing for this is on January 18.