The upkeep of Delhi's iconic Lutyens' bungalows, official residences for Union ministers and other high-ranking officials, has seen a dramatic increase in expenditure over the past decade. Data obtained via an RTI query reveals that the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) spent a staggering ₹547.68 crore on renovation, furnishing, repair, and maintenance of these properties between 2014-15 and 2025-26.
Annual Costs Triple in a Decade
The annual expenditure on these VIP residences has more than tripled in a decade. In 2014-15, the cost stood at ₹27.47 crore. By 2025-26, this figure had surged to a record ₹92.35 crore. This sharp rise is attributed to several factors, including general inflation and the significant wear and tear associated with structures that are nearly a century old.
The year-wise breakdown of expenditure highlights this escalating trend:
- 2014-15: ₹27.47 crore
- 2015-16: ₹29.57 crore
- 2016-17: ₹30.10 crore
- 2017-18: ₹23.34 crore
- 2018-19: ₹23.42 crore
- 2019-20: ₹26.37 crore
- 2020-21: ₹53.87 crore
- 2021-22: ₹40.84 crore
- 2022-23: ₹73.86 crore
- 2023-24: ₹54.52 crore
- 2024-25: ₹71.98 crore
- 2025-26: ₹92.35 crore
Ageing Structures Present Unique Challenges
CPWD officials have consistently pointed to the advanced age of these bungalows as a primary driver of the escalating maintenance costs. Many of these properties, developed between 1912 and 1930, are now 80 to 100 years old. This age brings with it a host of structural and systemic issues.
“These are mostly 80-90-100-year-old bungalows. Some, though not all, had even become structurally unsafe and needed to be upgraded,” an official told PTI.
Common problems include:
- Seepage and water damage
- Termite infestation
- Ageing electrical systems requiring frequent upgrades
- Persistent plumbing issues
- General structural repairs and renovations
Repairs can range from routine electrical fixes and plumbing work, required every few months, to more extensive renovations like replacing floor tiles every few years. The cumulative effect of these requirements significantly adds to the overall expenditure.
Historical Context of Lutyens' Bungalows
While popularly known as the Lutyens' Bungalow Zone, historian Swapna Liddle clarified that Edwin Lutyens primarily designed the official bungalows within the President's Estate. Most other colonial-era government bungalows in New Delhi were designed by architects of the Public Works Department under British administration. These properties were characterized by large compounds and separate ancillary buildings for staff, a pattern common in Civil Lines across Indian cities.
After India gained independence, these grand properties were adapted to house senior government functionaries, including Union ministers, Members of Parliament, senior judges, and top military officers.
Average Cost Per Minister Exceeds ₹1 Crore
With the Union Council of Ministers typically comprising around 70 to 72 individuals, the ₹92.35 crore expenditure in 2025-26 translates to an average of approximately ₹1.2 crore per minister's residence. However, actual costs vary widely based on the specific condition and scale of repairs needed for each property.
The RTI response did not include expenditure data for the residences of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs who are not ministers, nor did it cover costs incurred on ministerial offices.