Atop a rise in Lutyens’ Delhi stands 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. India’s Prime Minister’s residence. This isn’t just any house. It’s a symbol of power. A place where history unfolds.
This sprawling complex wasn’t always known as 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. It began life as 7 Race Course Road. Rajiv Gandhi was the first Prime Minister to reside here. That was in 1984. Before that Indian Prime Ministers lived in various residences. Some even in homes allotted to them as Members of Parliament. Jawaharlal Nehru lived in Teen Murti Bhavan. Later it became a museum. Lal Bahadur Shastri chose 10 Janpath. Indira Gandhi’s residence at 1 Safdarjung Road is now a memorial.
7 Lok Kalyan Marg isn’t just one building. It’s a complex of five bungalows. Spread over twelve acres. The main office and the Prime Minister’s private residence are in separate bungalows. Bungalow 9 houses the Special Protection Group SPG. They guard the Prime Minister around the clock. Bungalow 3 is a guesthouse for visitors. Bungalow 1 is a helipad. It’s been in use since 2003.
Security is incredibly tight. There’s only one entrance. It’s guarded by the SPG. Even high-ranking officials need prior approval to enter. Everyone needs identification. No unauthorized vehicles are allowed past the checkpoint. The area is a no-fly zone. Its security has been upgraded numerous times over the years. A bulletproof passage connects Bungalow 3 to Panchvati. Panchvati is a state-of-the-art auditorium. It was built in 2001. It’s named after a spot where Lord Rama and Sita lived during their exile.
The complex also has beautiful lawns. They’re full of gulmohar semal and arjuna trees. Peacocks and other birds make their home in the trees. The gardens offer a peaceful contrast to the high-stakes environment. A two-kilometer tunnel connects 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to Safdarjung Airport. This was built to avoid traffic congestion. Narendra Modi was the first Prime Minister to use it. He uses Bungalow 5 as his private residence. This bungalow has also been used by other Prime Ministers.
Inside 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The workplace is compact. There are small rooms for the Prime Minister’s secretaries. A visitor’s room a meeting chamber. A larger living space for bigger meetings. The dining room hosts breakfast and lunch meetings. The walls are adorned with artworks. These are on loan from the National Gallery of Modern Art NGMA. Gifts received by the Prime Minister are either displayed or sent to the toshakhana. The toshakhana is a treasure house for gifts.
7 Lok Kalyan Marg. A symbol of India’s leadership. A place of quiet contemplation. A bustling center of political activity. It’s more than just a house. It’s a part of India’s story.