Bihar renames CM's official residence 'Lok Sewak Awas'; Samrat Choudhary to shift soon
Synopsis
Bihar's new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has had the state's iconic 1 Anne Marg bungalow renamed 'Lok Sewak Awas' — a symbolic first move that signals a break from the Nitish Kumar era. The address, occupied by Kumar for nearly two decades, now awaits its new occupant.
Key Takeaways
The Bihar government renamed the CM's official residence at 1 Anne Marg, Patna as Lok Sewak Awas via a CMO notification on 6 May 2025 .
Samrat Choudhary has been allocated the bungalow but currently resides at 5 Deshratna Marg and is expected to shift shortly.
Former CM Nitish Kumar vacated the residence after stepping down on 14 April 2025 , having occupied it for nearly two decades .
Choudhary reviewed the Munger–Bhagalpur Ganga Path (Marine Drive) project and the Sultanganj–Aguwani Ghat bridge during visits to Munger and Khagaria.
He also reviewed the State Highway-95 Khagaria–Saharsa road project and attended a BJP training programme under Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Training Mahabhiyan–2026 .
The Bihar government on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, renamed the Chief Minister's official residence-cum-office in Patna as "Lok Sewak Awas", marking a symbolic administrative overhaul at the state's most prominent address. A formal notification to this effect was issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), confirming the change.
The Iconic 1 Anne Marg Bungalow
The storied 1 Anne Marg bungalow — long recognised as the official seat of Bihar's Chief Minister — has been formally allocated to incumbent Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. However, Choudhary currently continues to reside at 5 Deshratna Marg, the address traditionally designated for the Deputy Chief Minister, and is expected to shift to the newly renamed residence shortly.
The bungalow was recently vacated by former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who stepped down from office on 14 April 2025. Kumar had occupied the residence for nearly two decades, barring a brief interlude between 2014 and 2015 when Jitan Ram Manjhi served as Chief Minister and resided there during his tenure.
Choudhary Reviews Key Infrastructure Projects
Separately, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited his home districts of Munger and Khagaria to review several ongoing development projects. In Munger, he inspected the proposed Munger–Bhagalpur Ganga Path (Marine Drive) project at Babua Ghat. Following a detailed presentation, Choudhary stated that the project would boost regional development, improve traffic flow, and strengthen tourism and the local economy.
In Khagaria, the Chief Minister inspected the under-construction Sultanganj–Aguwani Ghat bridge over the Ganga river, directing officials to expedite the work while maintaining quality standards. He noted that the bridge would significantly improve connectivity and accelerate regional development. He also reviewed progress on the State Highway-95 Khagaria–Saharsa road project, reiterating the government's commitment to strengthening infrastructure across Bihar.
BJP Outreach and Temple Visits
During his Munger visit, Choudhary interacted with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at a district-level training programme organised under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Training Mahabhiyan–2026, emphasising organisational strength, worker dedication, and effective training. He also offered prayers at the Jyoti Temple in Munger, seeking peace, prosperity, and progress for the state. In Khagaria, he visited the Katyayani Sthan Temple, where he inspected ongoing renovation and beautification work and instructed officials to ensure timely, high-quality execution.
What This Signals
The renaming of the Chief Minister's residence to Lok Sewak Awas — loosely translated as "abode of the public servant" — is being read as an early branding move by the Choudhary administration, seeking to project accessibility and public service as its defining ethos. As the new Chief Minister prepares to formally occupy the address, all eyes will be on how quickly the transition from 5 Deshratna Marg is completed and what policy direction the new occupant brings to Bihar's top office.
Point of View
High-visibility signal — the kind of symbolic gesture new administrations deploy to mark a clean break. But symbolism aside, the real question is whether Samrat Choudhary's tenure will be defined by independent policy choices or remain in the long shadow of Nitish Kumar, whose near-two-decade grip on 1 Anne Marg shaped Bihar's political culture. The infrastructure reviews in Munger and Khagaria suggest an early emphasis on project delivery, but Bihar's infrastructure track record on bridges and highways has been marred by delays and quality lapses. The Sultanganj–Aguwani Ghat bridge, already under construction for years, will be an early litmus test for how seriously the new CM's directives translate into on-ground outcomes.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Bihar CM's residence been renamed Lok Sewak Awas?
The Bihar government renamed the Chief Minister's official residence at 1 Anne Marg, Patna as 'Lok Sewak Awas' through a formal CMO notification on 6 May 2025. The renaming is seen as a symbolic move by the new Samrat Choudhary administration to project a public service-oriented identity.
When did Nitish Kumar vacate the 1 Anne Marg residence?
Nitish Kumar vacated the 1 Anne Marg bungalow after stepping down as Chief Minister on 14 April 2025. He had occupied the residence for nearly two decades, except for a brief period between 2014 and 2015 when Jitan Ram Manjhi served as CM.
Where is Samrat Choudhary currently staying?
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is currently residing at 5 Deshratna Marg, the address designated for the Deputy Chief Minister. He is expected to shift to the newly renamed Lok Sewak Awas at 1 Anne Marg shortly.
What infrastructure projects did Samrat Choudhary review during his district visits?
Choudhary reviewed the Munger–Bhagalpur Ganga Path (Marine Drive) project at Babua Ghat in Munger, the under-construction Sultanganj–Aguwani Ghat bridge over the Ganga in Khagaria, and the State Highway-95 Khagaria–Saharsa road project. He directed officials to expedite work while maintaining quality standards.
What is the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Training Mahabhiyan–2026?
It is a BJP organisational training programme under which district-level training sessions are held for party workers. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary attended one such session in Munger, emphasising organisational strength and worker dedication.
