Motilal Nehru Road Bungalow: Manmohan Singh's Post-Retirement Home

The 3 Motilal Nehru Road bungalow in Lutyens Delhi was the retirement home of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday.

This Type-VIII bungalow, located on a three-acre plot, became Singh's residence after Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in May 2014. Modi succeeded Singh as India's Prime Minister and moved into the official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

Photo Credit: PTI

Before Singh, the bungalow served as the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. She vacated it following her party's defeat in the Delhi assembly elections. Dikshit passed away in 2019 at the age of 81. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had renovated the bungalow extensively, redoing the flooring and pillars after Dikshit left.

Manmohan Singh's Residence and Its Natural Surroundings

As a former prime minister, Singh received SPG protection for himself and his family. The bungalow was surrounded by about 40 mature trees, including peepul, arjun, goolar, marorfalli, jamun, neem, mango, and seemal. These trees provided a habitat for around 60 species of birds and mammals when Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur moved in.

The expansive lawns of the property also housed a significant number of bats. Although an exact count wasn't taken, a senior CPWD official estimated that there could be more than 200 bats residing there. This official was part of the team responsible for preparing the house for Singh and his family.

This residence not only offered a peaceful retreat for Singh but also supported a diverse ecosystem within its grounds. The natural environment surrounding the bungalow added to its charm and provided a serene setting for its inhabitants.