The Delhi government is weighing plans to commercially utilise the bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road by leasing it as a luxury hospitality property, while continuing to use the premises for official functions and conferences, according to officials from the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD).
The Civil Lines bungalow served as the official residence of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during his tenure and became the focus of a prolonged political dispute between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP had labelled the property the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (Glass Palace), alleging that costly fittings were installed during the former chief minister’s stay.
Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Verma said the government is considering bringing in established hospitality firms to oversee the property's upkeep and operations.
“We are thinking of tying up with established companies that are in this business so that the property’s maintenance can be managed professionally. At present, we spend a lot of money on its maintenance, which is an unnecessary expense. If the same property can be used by the government to generate revenue, it would be a better option,” Verma said.
The proposal marks the BJP government's latest move to redefine the use of the controversial property since taking office last year.
Among the ideas previously considered were converting the bungalow into a state guest house and cultural centre, as well as transferring it to the Centre in exchange for multiple government residences from the central housing pool.
PWD officials said work is underway on a detailed proposal that will set out the operational model, along with the legal and technical framework required for implementing the plan. The proposal will be placed before the government once those details are finalised.
Officials added that the department also intends to complete an unfinished camp office located in a second building within the same premises. Once completed, the facility could either host government programmes or be rented out to private organisations as a source of revenue.
Construction of the camp office began in 2021-22 on a 1,500-square-yard section of the property, with plans for a two-storey structure. However, work came to a standstill after inquiries were launched into alleged irregularities related to the renovation of the official residence. Information previously provided by the Delhi government in the Assembly showed that about ₹25 crore had already been spent before construction was halted, while the overall project cost was estimated at nearly ₹60 crore.
The bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road emerged as a major political flashpoint ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. The BJP alleged that between ₹45 crore and ₹52 crore in public funds had been spent on luxury interiors and premium fittings, describing the residence as ‘Sheesh Mahal’.
The renovation subsequently became the subject of allegations involving financial irregularities and violations of building norms, leading to inquiries by several agencies, including those initiated by the lieutenant governor, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Central Bureau of Investigation. The AAP denied the allegations and has consistently maintained that the expenditure figures cited by the BJP were exaggerated.
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