The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has moved to his second official residence that is located in the Old Baradari are in Jalandhar. This move comes 16 months later to when he was earmarked for this heritage property.
This house spread across 11 acres that was built in the year 1848, has a 178-year-old legacy. And now, it will serve as the official home of CM Mann during his visits to the city. The area that this house resides in, Old Baradari, also holds great historical significance. As of now, the house has sheltered around 140 divisional commissioners since the British era. One of the earliest occupants of the property was Sir John Lawrence, the first British Divisional Commissioner of Jalandhar. IAS Gurpreet Sapra was the last commissioner to have resided in the house before her transfer.
This heritage building did not undergo any major infrastructural renovations, as it has been a protected structure since 2002-2003. Very minor refurbishments took place in the structure ahead of CM’s stay. The decision to not make any major changes was taken in order to preserve the historical character of the building. The only few upgrades made included fresh paint, new sanitary fittings, enhanced security pickets, temporary canopies and gazebos in open areas, a volleyball court, and new furnishings.
The 178-year-old heritage building is equipped with four drawing rooms, four bedrooms, three office rooms, an enclosed outer verandah, and 10 two-room family flats for support staff. The heritage building that is now set to serve as a home to the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stands tall as one of the most prominent heritage structures in Jalandhar today.
On Monday, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann held a Lok Milni at this very residence, and directly engaged with the public and listened to their grievances. The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is making strenuous efforts to ensure the progress of Punjab and the prosperity of its people.