Finally, a house for the Delhi CM — in Civil Lines

At present, Gupta lives in Shalimar Bagh with her family.

“An allotment letter has been issued… There are four bungalows in this part of Civil Lines where the Deputy Speaker and Social Welfare minister have been allotted houses. The remaining two bungalows have been allotted to the CM — one residence and another as a camp office,” said a source.

“PWD has started repair work, which is a routine process. Whenever a new house is allotted, the new allottee requests renovation and repair, including whitewash, window, terrace cleaning,g and other works… once it is done, the CM will move in,” said the official.

PWD has also floated multiple tenders for renovation of ministers’ bungalows and senior government officials, and construction of a camp office.

The estimated cost of the upgrade is Rs 47 lakh, and the work is likely to be completed in two months, said officials. Another tender for similar work for Rs 90 lakh has also been issued.

Sources said the CM was looking for a house in Lutyens Delhi but since these are under the Centre, an exchange has to be made with the Delhi government. At present, officials said, the exchange is taking time because appropriate houses are not available for now.

During the second half of his 10-year tenure, former CM Arvind Kejriwal was living at 6 Flagstaff Road, also in Civil Lines, with his family. The house became the centre point of the BJP’s campaign against the AAP with the former calling the house ‘Sheesh Mahal’, alleging several crores were spent when it was rebuilt. The expenditure and role of officials is under investigation.

Most of the cabinet ministers in the new BJP government have already been allotted official residences in the city, said officials.