(Image source from: BJP netas vie for lavishly redone bungalows of UPA ministers})
The ministers in Narendra Modi's cabinet are vying with each other to occupy certain official Lutyens’ bungalows. Reason being that some of the bungalows occupied by former ministers in the UPA government had been done up lavishly.
The17, Akbar Road bungalow occupied by current Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament K Chiranjeevi, who was former tourism minister, has been allotted to home minister Rajnath Singh. The Telugu superstar apparently spent over Rs. 3 crore on the interiors.
A government official described Chiranjeevi's bungalow as suitably filmy.
The bungalow was lavishly redone with imported marble and wood work on floors and wall panels. The house has been fitted with designer bathrooms and decorated with expensive lights and chandeliers.
Chiranjeevi is yet to vacate the bungalow and it's not predictable whether Rajnath Singh may want to reside in such fancy setting or prefer to restore the house to its original staidness.
Usually ministers don't alter the setting if a bungalow is maintained well. Of course some minor upgrades are done here and there to suit its current occupant.
The bungalow on 6, Akbar Road occupied by former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran is another fancied one. Union water resources minister Uma Bharti had been allotted the house and she moved in early this week.
Another bungalow that was much sought ofter was the 19, Teen Murti Marg bungalow occupied by former law minister Kapil Sibal. Both HRD minister Smriti Irani and commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman wanted it for themselves. But it went to petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
A source reported that the house is done up smartly and has three entries and exits.
Former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani’s 2, Safdarjung Lane bungalow is also re-done tastefully. It has been allotted to MoS, civil aviation GM Siddeshwara.
According to reports the makeover at some of the Lutyens’ bungalows have undergone renovation that is much more than the official cap fixed by the urban development ministry. Ceiling for renovation has been fixed at '1 lakh per minister’s bungalow', said a government official.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
