The Delhi government is exploring options to commercially utilise the bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road, the former official residence of ex-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while also retaining it for official government functions and conferences. According to officials from the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD), the government is considering leasing the property to a hospitality operator so that it can serve as a luxury venue when not being used for official purposes.
The bungalow, located in Delhi’s Civil Lines area, gained nationwide attention during Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure as chief minister. It later became the centre of a political controversy after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that expensive renovations and high-end fittings had been carried out at the residence using public funds. The BJP referred to the property as the “Sheesh Mahal”, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rejected the allegations and defended the renovation work as being in accordance with official requirements.
Now, months after the change in Delhi’s government, the property is once again in the spotlight as authorities examine ways to maximise its use. Officials said the proposal under consideration would allow the bungalow to function both as a government facility and as a commercially managed hospitality property, generating revenue for the administration.
Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma confirmed that the government is exploring a partnership with established hospitality companies that have experience managing premium properties. According to officials, the objective is to ensure that the bungalow is professionally maintained while also being put to productive use whenever it is not required for official government events.
Under the proposed plan, the property could host conferences, official meetings, cultural programmes, and government functions. During periods when it is not reserved for official activities, it may be leased to a hospitality operator for premium accommodation or event-related services. Authorities believe this dual-use model could improve the utilisation of the government-owned property while reducing maintenance costs.
The bungalow has remained a politically sensitive issue ever since details of its renovation became part of public debate. The BJP had repeatedly criticised the previous AAP government over the reported expenditure on the residence, alleging excessive spending on luxury interiors and fittings. The controversy became one of the key political issues in Delhi, with both parties accusing each other of misleading the public.
The AAP, however, maintained that the residence was renovated according to government norms and that the allegations made by the opposition were politically motivated. Party leaders argued that official residences require periodic upgrades and maintenance to meet security and administrative standards.
The Delhi government’s latest proposal does not alter the ownership of the property, which will continue to remain under government control. Instead, officials are examining different operational models that would allow the bungalow to generate income while preserving its role as an official government facility.
No final decision has been announced regarding the commercial utilisation of the property. Government officials indicated that discussions are ongoing, and details of any partnership or leasing arrangement will be finalised only after evaluating financial, administrative, and legal aspects.
The proposal reflects the Delhi government’s broader effort to make better use of public assets through innovative management models. If approved, the former chief minister’s residence could become one of the few government-owned properties in the capital to combine official functions with commercial hospitality operations.
As discussions continue, the future of the bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road is likely to remain a subject of both public interest and political debate, given its prominent role in Delhi’s recent political history.