No. 7, Race Course Road, the official residence of Prime Minister, is one of the city’s greenest addresses.
According to sources in the Union Urban Development Ministry that is responsible for the maintenance of the exclusive Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ) of which 7-RCR is a part, this area is among the greenest in the capital, partly thanks to its VIP residents and their love for nature.
“The aerial survey shows the LBZ as a green thicket. One can barely see the coveted bungalows that it is famous for,” an official from one of the departments of the Ministry told The Hindu .
The address itself has an envious patch of green, which has something from every Prime Minister, including its first occupant Rajiv Gandhi to the incumbent Narendra Modi.
Known for his love for nature, Rajiv Gandhi oversaw the planting of tall, majestic silver oak trees that have grown to give the RCR its own mini-forest.
“He enjoyed walking in the garden and would instruct the gardeners on what to plant and how to design the flowerbeds. He was extremely polite and would converse with the employees. His security was instructed to allow the gardeners and labourers to remain even when Gandhi was taking his walk,” said the official.
It is learnt that Mr. Modi who has been vocal about promoting the use of herbs had called for planting more Indian basil ( tulsi ) in the complex.