For generations of Congress leaders and workers, 24, Akbar Road has been synonymous with the party—a white bungalow nestled in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi that quietly witnessed pivotal moments in the history of India’s grand old party.

From Indira Gandhi’s return to power in 1980, her assassination, and Rajiv Gandhi’s rise to the Prime Minister’s office in 1984, to the party’s defeat in 1989, the era of P.V. Narasimha Rao, Congress’s political exile from 1996 to 2004, its revival under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, and its decline in 2014—the building has stood witness to the party’s triumphs and setbacks over nearly five decades.

On January 15, Congress will bid farewell to its iconic headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, and inaugurate its new national office: Indira Gandhi Bhawan, located at 9 A, Kotla Road. The new headquarters, which has been in development for over 15 years, will be unveiled a day after Makar Sankranti. Though the land for the building is situated on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, the entrance will be on Kotla Road to align with the address.

The foundation stone for the new headquarters was laid in December 2009 by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. However, it took 15 years to complete its construction. Gandhi, now the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson, will be joined by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for the inauguration.

The new building, named Indira Gandhi Bhawan, is expected to host over 400 party leaders, including members of the Congress Working Committee, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents, MPs, former Chief Ministers, and other prominent figures.

The Congress party, under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, moved into 24, Akbar Road in 1978, during a turbulent period. After Indira’s defeat in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections and the Emergency, the party was split, and the Indira faction lacked a headquarters. It was then that MP Gaddam Venkatswamy offered his official residence, 24, Akbar Road, for the party’s use.

This was not the first time the Congress under Indira faced a loss of office. Following the 1969 split, the Indira faction lost access to the Congress headquarters at 7, Jantar Mantar Road.

“It’s time to move forward with the times and embrace the new,” said AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Tuesday, announcing the inauguration of the new headquarters.

The Indira Gandhi Bhawan, located at 9 A, Kotla Road, has been designed to cater to the evolving needs of the party, featuring modern facilities for administrative and strategic activities. “This building is a testament to the Congress party’s vision for the future while honoring its extraordinary past,” Venugopal added.

While the Akbar Road bungalow will no longer serve as the party’s headquarters, Congress has decided to retain the property for high-profile meetings. Offices of the party’s leaders, including the president’s office, will shift to the new building, although the transition will take place gradually over a few months.

“It will be done in phases, but we will all move to the new headquarters. The offices of general secretaries and other office-bearers will shift to the new building,” said a Congress leader. Similar to the BJP’s retention of its office at 11 Ashoka Road, the Congress will keep the Akbar Road office for special meetings, but it will be closed to regular visits from party workers, except when scheduled events are planned.