Delhi, which is the capital of India comprises of areas having three distinctive characters.

1.         Walled city, Shahajahanabad.

2.         Lutyen’s New Delhi.

3.         Post-independence development. 

            The urban design form of New Delhi, which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen when the capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi (1911) was fundamentally based on Garden City concept.

            After independence, Delhi grew suddenly and enormously in a haphazard and unplanned way inspite of the Delhi Master Plan (1962).

            With a view to preserve and maintain the aesthetic quality of Urban Design of Lutyen’s Delhi, which is still dominated by green areas and bungalows, a separate set of norms were formulated for Lutyen’s Bungalow areas with a delineated Bungalow area boundary, comprising 2300 hects. by the Ministry of Urban Development on 8.2.1988.

            The need to preserve the original character of LBZ arises because –

-         The area has an unique quality with a special historical significance.

-         The area has a strong identity, clarity and imaginability.

-         The visual quality of the low density developments with predominant green areas is not only enriching the overall aesthetic environment but also balancing the ecology of the areas.

  Keeping in view the above, the following guidelines for additions and alterations in Bungalows occupied by Cabinet/State/Dy. Ministers/ Supreme Court/High Court Judges/Secretaries to Government of India are to be observed.

2.            However, for the purpose of security, sentry post/guard rooms/frisking sheds etc. shall be provided in the front set back near the entry point.  These structures shall be of temporary nature/portable type lasting maximum up to 5 years.

3.         The colour scheme shall be decided by the Architects depending upon the site environment.

4.         The design of the boundary wall/gate shall lbe as per security requirements and best suited to the site and surroundings.

5.         The existing bungalows can be modernized internally, by means of partitions in the rooms/additional toilets/ etc. keeping the exterior façade as it is, by creating additional rooms/spaces depending on the structural feasibility and the requirements of Cabinet Ministers/State/Dy. Ministers/equivalent.

6.         If the additional requirements exceed the facilities provided in the existing bungalow, the same shall be provided as per Annexure-A (1, 2) in side and rear set back depending upon site conditions but not in the front set back.

7.         There exist different types of bungalows with plinth area ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 sq.ft.  In order to moderise the existing bungalow under the above mentioned guidelines, each and every bungalow shall have to be designed independently with reference to the existing site conditions by the Architects.

8.         To keep the tree studded character of the LBZ, no tree shall be cut and emphasis shall be laid on the plantation of more trees of similar varieties as existing in the LBZ.

9.         The landscape design of the bungalow plots shall be in consonance with the overall character of the bungalow and the designs shall be approved by the Chief Architect/Senior Architect concerned.

            The guidelines for construction in the Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone stipulated no additional construction in the Bungalows.

            However, to meet the functional demands, certain additional areas are required to be provided in the Ministers/Supreme Court Judges/High Court Judges/Secretaries to the Government of India’s Bungalows for additional residential accommodation, office accommodation & accommodation for security personnel in the Bungalows where the plinth area is below the entitlement of Minister/Judge and Secretary to Government of India.  To meet such additional requirements, temporary accommodation as shown below may be provided for Ministers/Supreme Court Judges/High Court Judges/Secretaries to Government of India’s Bungalows.

Additional Residential Accommodation

              At present, a Minister is entitled to a plinth area of the bungalow as 4498 sq.ft.  In case the Minister is allotted a Type-VII or below bungalow, additional construction to the extent of one bed room with attached toilet and temporary open sheds for multi-purpose usages etc. with a ceiling of 500 sq.ft. plinth area subject to overall ceiling of 4498 sq.ft. may be provided with temporary specifications.

Supreme Court Judges/High Court Judges/Secretaries to Government of India

            In case Supreme Court Judges, High Court Judges and Secretaries to Government of India are allotted accommodation below their entitlement, additional construction for residential purposes with a ceiling of 500 sq.ft. plinth area may be provided with temporary specifications.

Office Accommodation

            For up-grading the bungalows to accommodate the Ministers, Supreme Court Judges/High Court Judges, provision of office space as per norms laid down by the Government may be made by erecting semi-portable structure with a life span of 5 years.  Accommodation to be provided would be as under:

Cabinet Minister/Ministers of State/Deputy Minister/Supreme Court/High Court Judges

            Area    =   46.45 sq.m. / 500 sq.ft.

            Accommodation :  2 Rooms with one toilet

Security Works :  

Summary  :  Addl. Residential/Office accommodation proposed to be provided

to Ministers, Judges and Secretaries to Government of India would be as under :

* For specifications refer Annexure A-2.

A.     For temporary structure with life span of 5 years

          (for Additional Residential Accommodation)

B.       For Semi-portable structure (for additional Office and Security Accommodation)