Friday 19 August 2016

18 AUG 2016 RAJBHAVAN UNDERGROUND BUNKERS

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao finds underground bunker from British era inside Raj Bhavan

The Governor, who visited the bunker along with his wife and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday, has decided to consult experts from various fields regarding its preservation.

By: Express News Service | Mumbai | Updated: August 17, 2016 2:08 am
mainMaharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao inspecting the tunnel along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Raj Bhavan. (Source: Twitter/Devendra Fadnavis)
Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has discovered a 150-metre long underground British era bunker inside the Raj Bhavan complex at Malabar Hill. Officials from Raj Bhavan said the bunker had been closed for several decades. The Governor, who visited the bunker along with his wife and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday, has decided to consult experts from various fields regarding its preservation.
The bunker, spread over an area of more than 5,000 sqft, has rooms bearing the names Shell Store, Gun Shell, Cartridge Store, Shell Lift, Pump, Workshop, etc. There are also scores of lamp recesses in the gangway of the bunker, said an official.
“About three months ago, when the Governor was informed by old timers that a tunnel exists inside Raj Bhavan, the Governor asked to have it opened,” said an official.
bunker main
Public Works Department staff were surprised after they broke open a temporary wall that closed the entrance to the bunker on the eastern side. “Instead of an underground tunnel, an entire barrack with 13 rooms of different sizes was found. The bunker opens with a 20-ft tall gate and a ramp on the western side. There are long passages and small-to-medium rooms on either side,” explained the official.
“Even though the bunker was apparently closed after Independence, it was found to be surprisingly intact. Interestingly, the entire underground bunker has a drainage system and inlets for fresh air and light,” added the official.
bunker2
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the Bunker late in the evening Tuesday. He later tweeted pictures of his visit and described the tunnel as an “amazing discovery” by the governor. 
Raj Bhavan, formerly known as ‘Government House’, served as the residence of British Governors since 1885 when Lord Reay turned it into a permanent residence. Prior to 1885, the Malabar Hill residence served as the Summer Residence of the British Governors and the Government House at Parel served as the Governor’s residence before 1885.
bunker1
Historians say such bunkers are well known in military history. “It is good that the present Governor is taking interest in history. Such bunkers used to be an escape routes for the then Britishers to hide in an emergency. Also, a tunnel has been found below the government post office in Fort. So, it was common in those era,” said Deepak Rao, a historian.

150-Metre-Long British Era Bunker Discovered Below Raj Bhavan In Maharashtra

All India | Press Trust of India | Updated: August 17, 2016 10:25 IST
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150-Metre-Long British Era Bunker Discovered Below Raj Bhavan In Maharashtra
The entire underground bunker has a drainage system and inlets for fresh air and light.
MUMBAI: 

HIGHLIGHTS

  1. The bunker had been closed for several decades
  2. Ch Vidyasagar Rao and his wife Vinodha visited the bunker
  3. Malabar Hill served as Summer Residence of British Governors
 A 150-metre long underground British era bunker which had been closed for several decades was discovered by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao inside the Raj Bhavan complex at Malabar Hill in Mumbai.

Mr Rao accompanied by his wife Vinodha visited the bunker today, after which the Governor expressed his intention to consult experts from various fields to preserve it.

TThe Governor had directed to get the bunker opened after he was informed by old-timers tthree months ago about the presence of a tunnel inside the Raj Bhavan.
 
The bunker opens with a 20-ft tall gate and a ramp on the western side.

On August 12, the staff of the Public Works Department at Raj Bhavan broke open a temporary wall that closed the entrance to the bunker on the eastern side, the official said in a statement.

Instead of an underground tunnel, an entire barrack with 13 rooms of different sizes was found.

The bunker opens with a 20-ft tall gate and a ramp on the western side. There are long passages and small to medium rooms on either side, he said.

The bunker spread over an area of over 5,000 square feet has rooms bearing the name Shell Store, Gun Shell, Cartridge Store, Shell Lift, Pump, Workshop etc. There are also scores of Lamp Recesses in the gangway.
Even though the bunker was apparently closed after independence, it was found to be surprisingly intact.

Interestingly the entire underground bunker has a drainage system and inlets for fresh air and light, the official said.

According to the history of Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra, Raj Bhavan, formerly known as 'Government House' served as the residence of British Governors since 1885 when Lord Reay turned it into a permanent residence.

Prior to 1885, the Malabar Hill residence served as the Summer Residence of the British Governors. The Government House at Parel served as the Governor's residence before 1885.

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