Ageing Lutyens’ Delhi bungalows push upkeep bill for Union Ministers’ residences to over ₹92 crore

The annual maintenance expenses for the historic Lutyens' bungalows in Delhi, which have been in use for nearly a century, have surged to over ₹92 crore in 2025-26. This marks a significant increase from ₹27.47 crore in 2014-15, with the government spending a total of ₹547.68 crore on these works since 2014-15, according to data obtained through an RTI query.

The majority of the costs are attributed to inflation and the wear and tear of aging structures located in prime locations within the capital. Issues such as seepage, termite infestations, outdated electrical systems, plumbing problems, and general repairs have contributed to the escalating costs. While some bungalows have been deemed structurally unsafe and require upgrades, there have been discussions about demolishing and rebuilding certain properties, though no official plans have been announced.

Built between 1912 and 1930 as part of the imperial capital's development, these bungalows were initially intended for senior government officials, including Union Ministers, members of Parliament, senior judges, and top military officers. Historian Swapna Liddle notes that while Lutyens designed only the bungalows within the President's Estate, most New Delhi's colonial-era government bungalows were built by architects of the Public Works Department under British rule.

The current spending of ₹1.2 crore per minister per year, on average, highlights the ongoing financial burden of maintaining these aging structures.