A house for Mr Ex-President Kalam: 10 Rajaji Marg

Bungalow being readied with special interior and exterior works to suit the President’s taste and needs

The UPA government may have refused to accommodate President A P J Abdul Kalam’s wish for a second term but it is sending him off to a house of his choice. The duplex bungalow at 10 Rajaji Marg is being readied with special interior and exterior works to suit the outgoing President’s taste and needs.

After living in the grandness of the 300-acre, 285-room Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Type-VIII residence may seem like an outhouse in comparison. But on its own, Kalam’s new place is one of the biggest in the Luyten’s zone.

The house is shared by two secretary-level officials of the central government — currently by Anil Razdan, Power Secretary, and his wife Rajni Razdan, also a secretary.They have been given the marching orders.

“We have no time. The bungalow has to be ready before June 25, when the President moves in. The huge lawn area has to be prepared for his (Z-category) security,” said a senior official overseeing the preparations. “The interiors will also have to be totally upgraded to suit his needs and taste.”

Initially, the Directorate of Estates at Urban Development Ministry gave a choice of 10 bungalows which were vacant. But none got the President’s approval, who is said to prefer a duplex so that he can convert one of the floors into his library. So his choice was either 8 or 10 Rajaji Marg. Since the High Court was not agreeable to asking one of its judges to leave No. 8, No.10 became the only option for Kalam’s new home.

By convention, a former President has to be provided housing in Delhi if he chooses to reside here. Most of his predecessors have maintained houses in Delhi even if they lived in another city.

Although Kalam has said he wants to take up teaching at the Anna University in Tamil Nadu after leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan, it is unlikely that it will be a full-time job. Hence, a base in Delhi.