Sisson House and Haryana Canal Rest House wait to welcome their new neighbour-Delhi CM

Delhi CM: In the heart of Delhi’s elite Civil Lines, the historic Sisson House—renowned for its Raj-era architecture—and the adjacent Haryana Canal Rest House are abuzz with anticipation as they prepare to welcome a new neighbour: Delhi’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta.

Gupta is set to occupy two bungalows on Plot No. 8, Raj Niwas Marg, a prestigious address in North Delhi. One will serve as her official residence, while the other will function as her camp office.

A historic and strategic location

Raj Niwas Marg, formerly known as Ludlow Castle Road, is steeped in history. Dating back to the British colonial era, the area has long served as an administrative hub, housing residences for high-ranking officials. Its strategic proximity to the Delhi Vidhan Sabha and the Delhi Secretariat—approximately 10 minutes from Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh constituency and 15 minutes from the Secretariat—makes it a practical and symbolic choice for the Chief Minister’s base.

Dr Aruna Mukim, an eminent author and former Censor Board member whose family has lived in Civil Lines since 1936, remarked, “Most families here have lived for generations. We’re excited to welcome Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her family.”

Mukim also noted that Bollywood actor Mallika Sherawat spent her formative years at Haryana Canal Rest House, which houses senior Haryana officials posted in Delhi.

A blend of heritage and functionality

The two Type VII bungalows allotted to Gupta each include four bedrooms, a drawing room, a hall, a visitors’ hall, a servant’s room, a kitchen, attached bathrooms, a backyard, and a large lawn. Previously occupied by the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, these spaces had been modified for administrative use with cabins and cubicles. They are now being renovated to revert to residential and functional use.

A brick wall dividing the two bungalows is set to be demolished to create a connecting passage between them, allowing for easier movement.

Gupta personally inspected seven to eight properties on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg and other central government options before finalising these two. The Public Works Department (PWD) officially allocated the bungalows on June 5, 2025, designating Bungalow No. 1 for residence and Bungalow No. 2 for office use.

Located near St Xavier’s School, Delhi United Christian School, and Shah Auditorium, the address further adds to its cultural and civic prominence.

The site offers excellent connectivity, with the Civil Lines metro station just a five-minute walk away. The accessibility is expected to ease Gupta’s travel and facilitate public and official visits.

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A legacy of Chief Ministers’ residences

Raj Niwas Marg has a distinguished legacy. The nearby Raj Niwas served as the residence of the British Resident, the Political Agent, and later the Chief Commissioner of Delhi from the early 19th century until 1947. After independence, it became the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor.

Delhi’s Chief Ministers have had diverse residential addresses over the years. The infamous 33 Shamnath Marg—allocated to Delhi’s first two Chief Ministers, Brahm Prakash and Madan Lal Khurana—earned a reputation for misfortune, leading future leaders to avoid it.

Sahib Singh Verma, who succeeded Khurana, continued living at his ministerial residence at 9 Shamnath Marg. His successor, Sushma Swaraj, chose to stay at her Lodhi Estate home.

Sheila Dikshit, Delhi’s longest-serving Chief Minister, initially resided at AB-17, Mathura Road, before moving to 3 Motilal Nehru Marg, which later became the residence of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s family.

Arvind Kejriwal lived at 6 Flagstaff Road for most of his tenure, vacating it in 2024. The house was then allocated to his successor, Atishi. Interestingly, Bollywood icon Rekha once lived at 3 Flagstaff Road with her in-laws after her marriage to Mukesh Aggarwal.

Gurmukh Nihal Singh, another former Chief Minister, lived at his private residence in Roop Nagar during his tenure. His son, S Nihal Singh, later became Editor of Indian Express.

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A new chapter for Rekha Gupta

Since assuming office on February 19, 2025, Gupta has been living at her family home in Shalimar Bagh. However, the space has proved insufficient to accommodate increasing public footfall. The move to Raj Niwas Marg marks the beginning of a new chapter in her tenure.

The Christian priests at Brotherhood House on the same road have expressed eagerness to welcome their new neighbour.

As renovations near completion, the storied neighbourhood of Civil Lines prepares to embrace its newest resident, continuing its legacy as a centre of power and prestige in the capital.