Union Ministers' Residence Maintenance Costs Hit Record ₹92.35 Crore Amid Ageing Bungalows
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu, LiveMint
The annual expenditure for maintaining Delhi’s Lutyens’ bungalows, home to Union ministers, surged to a record ₹92.35 crore in 2025-26, more than tripling from ₹27.47 crore a decade ago. Cumulative spending over the past 11 years reached ₹547.68 crore. Central Public Works Department (CPWD) officials blame rising costs on inflation and structural decay in the nearly century-old bungalows, with issues including seepage, termite damage, and outdated electrical and plumbing systems. Despite past plans to rebuild some, historical preservation and logistical hurdles have stalled major renovations.
Why it matters
The skyrocketing costs point to broader challenges in balancing historical preservation and modern utility in infrastructure critical to the functioning of India’s executive. This could soon force a needs assessment on whether these structures should be replaced or more heavily repaired.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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