Lutyens Delhi bungalow upkeep hits record Rs 92,35 crore

Annual spending on the upkeep of official residences for Union ministers in New Delhi has more than tripled over the past decade, reaching a record high in the last financial year, according to government data obtained through a Right to Information query. The expenditure on repairs, renovation, and furnishing of these ministerial bungalows in the historic Lutyens zone rose to Rs 92.35 crore in 2025-26, up from Rs 27.47 crore in 2014-15.

The data, released on August 23, 2026, shows the government spent a cumulative Rs 547.68 crore on the maintenance of these properties through the Central Public Works Department between the 2014-15 and 2025-26 financial years. Officials attributed the rising costs to inflation and the significant wear and tear on the aging structures, many of which are between 80 and 100 years old. The bungalows, set in expansive grounds in the heart of the capital, face recurring maintenance challenges including seepage, termite infestation, plumbing problems, and outdated electrical systems.

The year-by-year breakdown reveals a steady increase, with annual spending averaging Rs 26.78 crore from 2014 to 2019. This average nearly doubled to about Rs 50 crore...