Lutyens bungalows upkeep costs ₹92.35 crore in 2025-26

What Happened

The annual expenditure on renovation, furnishing and repair of the official residences of Union Ministers in Delhi rose to ₹92.35 crore in the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to an RTI-derived report compiled by The Hindu from CPWD data. This figure marks the highest level since 2014 and represents more than three times the ₹27.47 crore spent in 2014-15. Between 2014-15 and 2025-26, CPWD records show a total outlay of ₹547.68 crore for such works. Officials cited factors including inflation and the wear and tear of ageing bungalows as drivers of the rising costs. The bungalows, located in the Lutyens’ Delhi area and part of a zone developed during 1912-1930, are described as 80- to 100-year-old structures requiring ongoing maintenance in areas like seepage, termite infestation, and aging electrical and plumbing systems. Some bungalows have been mentioned as potentially unsafe and in need of upgrades, though no official rebuild plans were announced.

Why It Matters

The rising maintenance bill highlights the financial and logistical challenges of maintaining historic government residences in a capital with high living costs and ageing infrastructure. The data shows a sustained upward trajectory in annual expenditures across the years, with notable spikes in certain periods. The information underscores how legacy assets can drive ongoing public works spending, even as broader budgetary priorities face scrutiny. It also points to the potential impact on the upkeep budget allocations for ministers and other high-level officials who reside in these properties.

Background

The Lutyens Bungalow Zone was developed between 1912 and 1930 to house senior government functionaries. The official residences are occupied by ministers, members of Parliament, senior judges and top military officers, among others. Historian Swapna Liddle describes the architectural lineage of the bungalows and notes that Edwin Lutyens lent his name to the zone, though he designed only certain buildings within the President's Estate. The ongoing maintenance concerns cited by CPWD personnel include seepage, termite infestation, aging electrical systems, plumbing, and other repairs. While there have been discussions about potential razing and rebuilding some bungalows, no official announcements have been made regarding such plans.

Key Facts

• 2025-26 expenditure on repairs and renovation of Union Ministers’ residences: ₹92.35 crore
• 2014-15 expenditure: ₹27.47 crore
• 2014-15 to 2025-26 total CPWD expenditure on such works: ₹547.68 crore
• Average annual spend 2014-2019: ₹26.78 crore per year
• Average annual spend 2019-2024: about ₹50 crore per year
• 2024-25 expenditure: ₹71.98 crore
• 2020-21 expenditure: ₹53.87 crore
• Most common repair requests: electrical items (fans, LED lights) and plumbing

What Happens Next

The available data does not specify future plans for repairs beyond the ongoing CPWD maintenance cycle. No official announcement about wholesale rebuilding or major structural changes to the bungalows is reported in the source material. The RTI-derived figures provide a baseline for budgeting and decision-making on upkeep and potential modernization or replacement needs for these historic residences.