The annual expenditure on the renovation and maintenance of Union Ministers' official residences in Lutyens' Delhi has hit a record high of ₹92.35 crore for 2025-26. This marks a massive surge compared to a decade ago.
- Annual maintenance cost for Union Ministers' residences rose from ₹27.47 crore (2014-15) to ₹92.35 crore (2025-26).
- A total of ₹547.68 crore has been spent on repairs and renovations via CPWD between 2014 and 2026.
- Aging infrastructure, including seepage and termite issues, is driving the cost spike.
The cost of maintaining the iconic, century-old bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi is skyrocketing. According to data obtained via an RTI query, the annual expenditure on the renovation, furnishing, and repair of the official residences of Union Ministers reached a record high of ₹92.35 crore in the 2025-26 financial year. This is more than triple the amount spent in 2014-15, which stood at ₹27.47 crore.
The Drivers of Rising Costs
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), responsible for executing these works, attributes the surge to several factors. Beyond inflation, the sheer age of the structures—many of which are between 80 and 100 years old—presents massive maintenance challenges. Officials have cited chronic issues such as seepage, termite infestations, outdated electrical systems, and plumbing failures as primary reasons for the escalating bills.
Some bungalows have become structurally unsafe and require significant upgrades to remain habitable.
Historically, this bungalow zone was developed between 1912 and 1930 as part of New Delhi's creation. While named after Edwin Lutyens, historian Swapna Liddle notes that most colonial-era bungalows were actually designed by PWD architects under British rule. These residences, characterized by large compounds and ancillary staff buildings, continue to house India's top leadership, including senior judges and military officers.
BozokMedia analysis shows...
BozokMedia analysis shows a concerning trend in fiscal allocation for heritage maintenance. The spending pattern indicates that as these buildings age, the cost of 'patchwork' repairs is becoming increasingly inefficient. From an average of ₹26.78 crore per year (2014-2019), the spending jumped to ₹50 crore (2019-2024), and has now breached the ₹90 crore mark. This suggests a need for a long-term structural overhaul rather than recurring high-cost repairs.
| Financial Year | Total Expenditure (in ₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| 2014-15 | ₹27.47 |
| 2019-20 | ₹26.37 |
| 2022-23 | ₹73.86 |
| 2025-26 | ₹92.35 |
Interestingly, the RTI response did not include expenditure details for the residences of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are not ministers, nor for the official offices of the Union Ministers, suggesting the actual total cost to the exchequer is even higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is the maintenance cost increasing so rapidly?
Answer: The primary reasons are the aging of the 100-year-old structures, causing issues like seepage and termite damage, coupled with inflation.
Question 2: Which department manages these bungalows?
Answer: The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is responsible for all repairs and renovations.
