7 RCR gets a refurbished look for the new PM

Narendra Modi will stay at Gujarat Bhavan in the upmarket Chanakyapuri area even after his swearing in ceremony as the Prime Minister, till the official residence on 7 Race Course Road gets ready.

The security agencies have beefed up the security around Gujarat Bhawan and asked the surrounding buildings including Karnataka Bhawan to adhere diktat of instructions from the Delhi Police.

The police have also asked the surrounding state guest houses not to allot rooms to any guests from third floor onwards and deployed armed guards on top of the buildings as part of security arrangements.

Modi’s security, which at present comprises of commandos drawn from the National Security Guard and the Gujarat Police, will be taken over by the Special Protection Group, once he swears in as the PM.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is currently staying at the Race Course Road residence, will move to his retirement abode at 3, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, soon after the new incumbent takes oath.

Aiming to make the Race Course Road residence ready for the new PM at the earliest, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), has been carrying out refurbishing works for the past couple of weeks.

However, the CPWD officials said if Modi chooses to stay at the Race Course Road residence complex after taking oath at bungalow no 5 in RCR, which was earlier used for the PM guests, that is ready. Manmohan Singh is staying in bungalow no 3.

Gujarat Bhawan premises are lit up fairly with lights and flowers. Huge contingent of police and Central Police Force personnel have been deployed for security at premises.