JAIPUR: To comply with the Supreme Court order, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) are bracing up to get Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel and the Kanak Bhawan vacated.

It may be vacated but it will remain a part of the Central Park. “The acquired built structures and the land will remain part of Central Park and JDA will not auction it for any commercial activity,” said a senior JDA officer.

“The heritage structures will not be demolished. The utility of these two buildings will be decided after getting them vacated,” officials said.

Under Rajasthan State Land Acquisition Act, the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), in 1973 acquired 322-bigha land in Rambagh Complex for public utility. As per UIT claims, these two prime structures were part of the “acquired” land.

In May 2010, after Rajasthan High Court passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL)JDA tried hard to take possession of the grand property. The PIL was filed to seek court intervention as JDA failed to take physical possession. JDA had sealed the property but as the owners received a stay order, the seal was unlocked.

The Laxmi Vilas was constructed during the period of Sawai Man Singh-II. Originally an estate motor garage, it had been converted into a hotel by erstwhile ruler Bhawani Singh.

Bhawani Singh sold both Laxmi Vilas as well as Kanak Bhawan in 1986. Although, the new owners started living and renting the property, JDA had serious issues with the sale process of these properties.

Laxmi Palace is considered as a posh and elite hotel. Thanks to the sprawling property which is surrounded by rolling meadows, long walking/jogging tracks, a golf course, a polo ground.

The Laxmi Vilas campus and its adjoining marriage garden is of six bigha and Kanak Bhawan is of 1.5 bigha.