Ageing Lutyens' Delhi bungalows push upkeep bill for Union ministers' residences to over ₹92 cr

The annual upkeep costs for Delhi's historic Lutyens bungalows, officially occupied by Union ministers, have reached a record high of ₹92.35 crore in the 2025-26 financial year, surpassing the previous peak of ₹27.47 crore in 2014-15 by more than threefold. This surge is attributed to factors such as inflation, wear and tear on aging structures, and maintenance issues like seepage, termite infestations, electrical and plumbing problems.

Built between 1912 and 1930 as part of New Delhi's colonial-era development, these bungalows were designed by Edwin Lutyens himself for the official residences within the President's Estate surrounding Rashtrapati Bhavan. While some are structurally unsafe, plans to renovate or rebuild have been discussed but never officially implemented.

CPWD reported a total of ₹547.68 crore spent on repairs and renovations from 2014-15 to 2025-26, with the 2025-26 figure marking the highest since records began. The expenditure averages around ₹1.2 crore per minister annually, though it fluctuates based on individual residence needs. Most demands for repairs involve electrical components, plumbing, and floor tile replacements, highlighting the ongoing necessity for maintenance in these aging structures.