The century-old Ooty Race Course, launched by the Madras Race Club, may soon find a new home at a new location near Kotagiri. If the proposal awaiting club officials’ nod goes through, Nedugula village in Kotagiri will be the new stable for the club’s horses.

The proposal to shift the race course was made by the Madras high court when the club moved the court challenging an attempt by the district administration to take over 1.6 acres of land from the 54 acres leased out to it for constructing a parking lot. After a single judge stayed the attempts of the district administration to take possession of the land, the district authorities moved an appeal before a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice Abdul Quddhose.

When the appeal came up for hearing, the bench suggested that the district collector take over the entire 54 acres of land in the centre of the town for public purpose and offer an equal extent of land on the outskirts of Ooty or anywhere in the Nilgiris district.

? The district administration wants to take over a part of the race course land for constructing a parking lot Govt seeks 3 weeks’ time to give nod.

The club also said it would agree for the proposal if they are satisfied with the alternative land offered.

On Thursday, when the plea came up for further hearing, the collector informed the court that a 52-acre land parcel in Nedugula – II village in Kotagiri taluk had been identified as alternative land for the club. The club also agreed to inspect the property to take a decision.

Advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that the government would need three weeks’ time for giving approval for the proposal. Recording the same, the bench asked club officials and the district administration officials to jointly visit the property and file their response by August 28.

Courtesy TOI