Editorial

The Indian National Congress has received an eviction notice from the Directorate of Estates (under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) asking it to vacate its long-standing party office at 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi, by March 28, 2026. A similar notice has been issued for the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) office at 5 Raisina Road. The party has occupied 24 Akbar Road since 1978 — nearly 48 years — making it one of the most iconic addresses associated with the Congress in Lutyens’ Delhi.

The bungalow at 24 Akbar Road served as the Congress party’s national headquarters for decades. It witnessed key political moments, strategy sessions, and leadership transitions under leaders like Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi. The property is a Type-VIII bungalow in the prime Lutyens zone, allocated to the party on a licence basis by the government.

In January 2025, the Congress shifted its main operations to the newly constructed Indira Gandhi Bhawan (also called Indira Bhawan) at 9A, Kotla Marg. Despite the relocation, the party continued to use portions of the Akbar Road premises for some activities. The Estate Department views this as non-compliance with allotment rules, which typically require political parties to fully vacate government-allotted properties once they move to their own or newly assigned permanent headquarters. Earlier notices and hearings had taken place; the current communication is described as the final notice.

Congress leaders have strongly criticised the move, calling it “politically motivated” and an attempt to harass the opposition and “silence” the party. Senior leaders, including Abhishek Manu Singhvi and others, have indicated that the party will explore legal options and may approach the court to challenge the eviction. Some party spokespersons argue that the abrupt deadline leaves little time for smooth transition and question the timing amid other political developments.

The party maintains that 24 Akbar Road holds immense sentimental and historical value and has sought more time or clarity on the matter.

The scheduled inauguration of the Noida International Airport at Jewar by Narendra Modi on March 28 marks a significant moment in India’s infrastructure narrative. Positioned as a game-changer for Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Jewar airport project promises to decongest the overburdened Indira Gandhi International Airport and catalyse regional economic growth. Yet, beyond the celebratory optics, it demands a more measured evaluation.

There is little doubt that Jewar airport, officially the Noida International Airport, has the potential to transform connectivity. With its strategic location and ambitious multi-phase expansion plan, it aims to become one of Asia’s largest aviation hubs. For a state like Uttar Pradesh, often criticised for lagging industrial growth, such infrastructure can serve as a magnet for investment, logistics hubs, and employment generation. Improved air connectivity could also bolster tourism and export-oriented industries in western UP.

However, infrastructure alone does not guarantee equitable development. The project has faced criticism over land acquisition processes and concerns about displacement of local communities. The promise of jobs and prosperity must be weighed against the lived realities of those who have sacrificed land and livelihoods. Development that marginalises the very people it claims to uplift risks deepening socio-economic fault lines.

Environmental concerns add another layer of complexity. Large-scale construction in an ecologically sensitive zone raises questions about sustainability, groundwater depletion, and carbon footprint. At a time when climate resilience is no longer optional, mega projects must adhere to stricter environmental accountability rather than being fast-tracked for political timelines.

Politically, the timing of the inauguration is also noteworthy. With elections often shaping the cadence of such announcements, infrastructure projects risk being perceived as instruments of electoral messaging rather than long-term planning. The government, both at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, would do well to ensure that Jewar airport is not reduced to a symbol of political branding.

Ultimately, the success of the Jewar airport will not be measured on inauguration day but in the years that follow. Its true test lies in whether it delivers inclusive growth, environmental balance, and sustainable economic momentum. If executed with transparency and foresight, it could indeed become a runway to progress. If not, it may remain a grand project overshadowed by unmet promises.

• SAS Kirmani