LBZ: The bungalow burden will only grow

ref: http://mail.architexturez.net/+/In-Enaction/archive/msg03451.shtml

Maintenance cost of Delhi’s ageing VIP homes will increase in future

NEW DELHI: The VIP bungalows in Lutyens Delhi, which eat up several 
hundred crore rupees every year, will consume even more in the years to 
come as the maintenance cost increases. This was one of the very 
discernable trends in the RTI replies DNA received. The cost of 
maintaining the ageing bungalows, which are set over several acres, is 
increasing by leaps and bounds every year. Also, every time a new 
occupant moves in, the CPWD splurges a huge amount of money to rework 
the bungalow to the taste of the new occupant.

Architects and many officials DNA spoke to say that the central 
government would save money by building cheaper, better and modern 
housing for its VIPs, whose protection in this dispersed zone leads to 
yet another massive spend. Architect Hafeez Contractor says that 
heritage is important. The amounts being spent on VIP bungalows is not 
too much, but there can be an appropriate housing policy for them. "It 
is child's play. Most of these bungalows, to begin with, have only have 
a ground or first floor. I think we can make high rises. The government 
can seriously think of using the land, especially in the New Delhi area, 
judiciously. Lots of things can be done." A CPWD spokesman told DNA that 
a key reason for the exorbitant cost of maintaining these houses was 
that they were very old.

cont'd....
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1156441