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Time of India

136-year-old Union Football ground caught in devpt crossfire

1 2 Jaipur: Even as deputy chief minister Diya Kumari champions the preservation of Jaipur's 300-year-old heritage, a historic football ground linked to her own royal lineage faces an uncertain future. The Union Football Club, founded in 1889 by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II inside Ramniwas Bagh, is still waiting for the return of its original ground—a year after the completion of an underground parking facility promised under a 2021 MoU with Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). Despite the MoU clearly stating that the land would be handed back to the club post-construction, JDA has yet to act. Adding to the controversy, Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater) is now planning to build a multi-sports complex on the same ground, proposing to name it after RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Mahipal Swami, secretary of the Union Football Club, told TOI, "This ground has over a century of history. It was allotted to us by PWD after independence, and we officially hold ownership. We agreed to the JDA's parking project in good faith, trusting they would return our field and upgrade the infrastructure as per the agreement. Now, not only are those promises unfulfilled, but the JMC wants to build over it." On May 9, club representatives met JDA commissioner Anandhi, urging immediate action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fogo de Chão: a experiência máxima do churrasco Fogo de Chão Clique aqui Undo "We will wait 30 more days before moving court," Swami said. While the commissioner was unavailable for comment, a senior JDA official claimed efforts are underway to return the ground as per her directives. Meanwhile, JMC (Greater) building committee chairperson Jitendra Shrimali confirmed plans for a multi-sports facility over the two newly built parking lots. "A government plot within Ramniwas Garden has already been given to the football club. That should serve as their permanent base going forward," he added. The issue has now become a litmus test for the government's commitment to heritage preservation versus urban infrastructure expansion. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !