The PM House, India’s most prestigious property, is located at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, previously known as 7 Race Course Road. This is where the nation’s biggest leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lives and works.
The official name of the Modi House is Panchavati, and it is still closed to the general public. Rajiv Gandhi is said to have been the first Prime Minister to live in this residence in 1984, and it has remained PM House for Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.
In this blog, we will discuss nine key facts about the PM House that you may not be aware of. There is so much to learn, from the army of staff who keep things running to the number of rooms in Modi House’s residence. Read on.
The Facts You Did Not Know About
The Modi House, while providing all amenities and services, also defines simplicity. Explore this paradox and discover more fascinating facts about the PM house.
PM Modi house is been designed by a Britisher
The PM House at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, was designed between the 1920s and 1930s. It’s no surprise the Brits had a role to play. In fact, the entire house was designed by architect Robert Tor Russell, who was a member of the Edwin Lutyens team, a well-known British architect who designed numerous government buildings throughout Delhi.
Not One but Five Bungalows
If you thought the Prime Minister of India’s residence was just like any other palatial government bungalow, you were mistaken. The PM House is actually made up of five bungalows spread across 12 acres of land – Modi House includes bungalows 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. While No. 7 is the Prime Minister’s office, the PM’s private residence is at 5 Lok Kalyan Marg.
The Special Protection Group, or SPG, gets to live in Bungalow 9. People who live here are responsible for the PM’s protection and thus deserve to live near the nation’s top leader. This location is also known for having a tennis court for employees who want to stay fit and guests who want to play a few hands.
Guests of the Prime Minister are also given a special place on the premises and are said to reside in bungalow 3 when invited. Bungalow 1 has been used as a helipad since 2003, and the Prime Minister frequently visits it when travelling by helicopter.
Not as Opulent as You Might Think
While five bungalows may sound a little extravagant, keep in mind that none of these bungalows are particularly large. The Prime Minister’s home has only two bedrooms and one additional guest room. There is also a dining room and a living room that can barely hold 30 people.
A tunnel connecting to a private airport
To relieve traffic congestion, a two-kilometer underground tunnel connecting 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to Safdarjung Airport was constructed. Built beyond the Kamal Ataturk Marg, Golf Course, and Safdarjung Tomb, with an underground route leading to the helicopter hangar at the airport (where WIP helicopters land). The construction of this special tunnel began in 2010 and was completed in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first PM to use the special tunnel.
Peacocks are Greetings at the Lawns
PM Modi Feeding Peacock
The opulent lawns of Modi House are a frequent source of praise for both guests and PM’s Office staff, and with good reason. These expansive, beautifully groomed lawns are visually rejuvenating. As you can see from the pictures above, peacocks and even monkeys frequently visit these expansive grounds, which are bordered by large gulmohar and arjuna trees. Additionally, be aware that the building has a single entrance.
A PM House Corridor Adorned with Art
A special corridor connects Panchavati to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, and the walls are adorned with special pieces of art such as mementos, bowls, and the unique collections that the Prime Minister receives as gifts during his world travels. The Modi House also houses a number of paintings on loan from the NGMA – National Gallery of Modern Art. This corridor divides into a few conference rooms and a large banquet hall. The paintings and mementos here rotate, and as with the other artefacts, those not on display in this corridor are sent to the Government Treasure House, also known as Toshkhana.
Top Notch Security
The only entrance to PM House is 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
It is no secret that Modi House has the best security that India can offer. When you first enter the main gate, you will come across 9 RCR, which leads to the parking and reception area.
Following this, you will come across high-end security before arriving in front of bungalows 7, 1, 3, and 5. It is important to note that no one is permitted to visit the Prime Minister without prior notice; no family members or friends may do so, and the names of all visitors must be given to SPG guards in advance. Also, everyone visiting the Prime Minister’s residence must have a valid ID card, including family members and India’s top bureaucrats.
Furthermore, the SPG transports visitors to the PM House in special cars that take them to the intended destination. This is a no-fly zone.
Services Are Just a Call Away.
If the PM house requires any type of service at any time of day, it is only a few minutes away. Top doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences work 24-hour shifts and have a high-end ambulance on standby, as do barbers, tailors, designers, and stylists, among other things.
But that is not all; it takes a village to run the Modi House efficiently. There is also a team of over 50 members, including electricians, gardeners, chefs, and peons, who are available at all times.
The staff at the PM house is appointed after a thorough background check, and some of them have been with the system for decades.
The Work Zone in PM Modi House
Aside from the main office at the PM House, there are small rooms on either side of two personal secretaries. The right side of the premises is reserved for visitors, and further down the corridor, guests will meet with the Prime Minister in a chamber.
Adjacent to this space is a larger meeting room, which is frequently used as a dining room when the Modi House hosts breakfast or lunch meetings for dignitaries.
Air India provides air services.
Air India provides air services to the PM’s residence via its official aircraft, the Air India One. The flight number to Narendra Modi’s home is always AI1. The aircraft is a Boeing 747-400, which is primarily used for PM Narendra Modi’s foreign trips. The flight has VVIP amenities, including a lounge, a bedroom suite, and a six-seater work area for official meetings. Throughout the journey from PM’s house to the destination, the aircraft is equipped with four pilots, a satellite phone, and advanced weapons. AI1 has a secure communication chamber equipped with SAT links and multiple anti-missile shields. Executives at Palam Air Force Station in Delhi continuously monitor the flight while it is in the air.
Summarizing PM House in Delhi.
We hope you enjoyed the information about the PM house and the brief virtual tour we provided. The Modi house is a stunning heritage site with a variety of features that captivate visitors. Which fact about the PM house did you enjoy the most? Please let us know in the comments below.
