The delay in completion of renovation work at 3, Motilal Nehru Marg has meant that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will only move into the bungalow, which will serve as his retirement home, by the end of this week, Central Public Works Department officials said.
Singh is expected to move to Motilal Nehru Marg around the time Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister, sources said.
?Plaster work being carried out there had to be stopped because of the pre-monsoon showers earlier this month. Painting and other related works could not be taken up during this period. We are trying to wind up the remaining work and expect Singh to move into the house by May 23,? an official said.
Besides basic renovation work, some changes, in terms of security arrangements, also had to be made, which were still being carried out until Saturday.
The sprawling Type-VIII bungalow, spread over 3.25 acres, was vacated by former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit recently. The three-bedroom bungalow with well-maintained lawns and office space meets the requirements of a former Prime Minister.
?The small entry gate for visitors has been done away with and barbed wire and security posts have come up around the boundary walls. Delhi Police and SPG personnel are already guarding the bungalow round the clock. Most of the shifting has already been done as Singh had earlier indicated that he would like to shift by May 15,? the official said.
The former PM?s wife, Gursharan Kaur, has reportedly visited the bungalow several times to inspect the renovation work.
?There were many structures outside the bungalow, which have been removed. The requirement of a CM is very different from those of a PM and his wife,? the official said.
Meanwhile, 3 Race Course Road also needs basic repairs before Modi shifts to the bungalow. The PM could choose to make either bungalow 3 or 5 along Race Course Road his residential accommodation.
?While bungalow 5 is ready for occupation, the PM is also expected to have his own requirements, which would need to be taken care of before he moves in,? an official said.