Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar may have to stay in temporary housing as his government-allotted bungalow is not yet ready for him to move in. According to reports, Dhankhar has been allotted the house at 34, APJ Abdul Kalam Marg in Delhi. However, the bungalow is still occupied by a Union minister, and the formal eviction process has not started yet.
Officials confirmed that Dhankhar’s entitlement to the bungalow remains intact and that he will move in once the house is handed over after renovations and security checks. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will need at least two to four months to finish refurbishing the property and installing security systems before the bungalow is ready.
This unusual delay leaves the former vice president with two choices—shift into a temporary government residence or move into a private house. If he chooses a private home, it would be rare, as top leaders like former presidents, prime ministers, and vice presidents are almost always provided government accommodation.
Government sources have stressed that the delay is purely administrative and has no political angle. They explained that such delays are not unheard of. For instance, former vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu also had to wait before moving into his allotted bungalow, though he was offered temporary government housing in the meantime.
Securing a high-profile Type VIII bungalow in Delhi is a time-consuming process. It involves making the current occupant vacate, carrying out essential repairs, and ensuring all security protocols are in place. In many cases, this process can take longer than three months.
For now, Dhankhar will likely stay in a makeshift arrangement until his bungalow is ready. The situation highlights the heavy procedures involved in maintaining Delhi’s limited pool of high-security heritage homes. While his entitlement is assured, the image of a former vice president—the second-highest constitutional authority—waiting for his official home underlines the slow pace of government processes in the country’s power hub.
