The fortress of 7, Lok Kalyan Marg: India's high-security seat of power
In short: While the Prime Minister's Office is located elsewhere, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg serves as the nerve center of Indian leadership. This 12-acre complex isn't just a home; it is a sophisticated security labyrinth featuring secret tunnels, bulletproof passages, and a dedicated security ring designed to withstand modern threats.
Originally designed in the 1920s and 1930s by Robert Tor Russell—a member of Edwin Lutyens' team—the bungalows were built in their current form during the 1980s. In 1984, 7, Race Course Road saw its first Prime Ministerial occupant in Rajiv Gandhi. To guarantee uniformity for upcoming heads of government, the Ministry of Urban Affairs formally declared these bungalows the Prime Minister's official home and workspace in 1990.
The complex is a masterpiece of defensive architecture. To mitigate the risk of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), a concrete wall was added to the periphery. A bulletproof glass-tube passage connects Bungalow 3 to the Panchvati auditorium, allowing for secure movement. Furthermore, a 1.5-kilometre-long tunnel was completed in July 2014, connecting the residence directly to Safdarjung Airport for high-importance helicopter landings. The entire area is a restricted no-fly zone, monitored by the Special Protection Group (SPG), the CRPF, the BSF, and the Delhi Police.
Functionally, the residence is distinct from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). While the PMO sits in the Seva Teerth Complex on Raisina Hill, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg (formerly 7, Race Course Road) houses a conference room for informal meetings and the Panchvati auditorium. Panchvati, named after a site from the Ramayana, can be segmented into several conference rooms or a banquet hall for up to 340 people. The complex also features a helipad on Bungalow 1, a power substation, and 24-hour medical support from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 7, Race Course Road
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