Light at the end of the tunnel

The search for an old underground tunnel at the Maharashtra governor's residence has revealed a surprise

About three months ago, when long-time employees at the vast, regal residence of Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao informed him about the existence of a tunnel inside, he ordered that it be opened. Members of the Public Works Department (PWD) were in for a surprise as they set out to demolish a temporary wall in Raj Bhavan that presumably covered the entrance to the bunker on the Eastern side. Rather than the underground tunnel, there was an entire barrack with long passages and rooms of varying sizes.

The 150-metre long underground British-era bunker, which had been closed for several decades, will now be revived by Rao. On the Western side, the bunker opens with a 20-feet tall gate and a ramp. Covering an area of more than 5,000 sq ft, the bunker has 13 small and medium-size rooms. Each of these still bears names such as "shell store", "gun shell", "cartridge store", "shell lift", "pump", and "workshop". It is unclear if the bunker belongs to the British or Portuguese regime, the governor was quoted saying.

While the bunker was said to have been closed after Independence, authorities say it is "surprisingly intact". There is a comprehensive drainage system as well as openings for air and light. The gangway reportedly features several lamp recesses.

Such bunkers were used as escape routes and were common during British rule, say city historians. A tunnel had also been discovered under the government post office in Fort.

In the recent past, efforts have been taken to refurbish parts of the Raj Bhavan and show them off to the public. Last year, a scenic path leading to a spot from where the sun can be seen rising was made accessible to 10 people at a time.

The larger VVIP part of the precinct - with heritage buildings constructed at various points in the 19th and 20th centuries - remains mostly off-limits.

Until 1885, Raj Bhavan, known earlier as 'Government House', served as the summer residence for British governors. The Malabar Hill residence has been the home of British governors since 1885 after Lord Reay turned it into a permanent residence. Located on the southern tip of the city on the Malabar Point, this house is considered the 'Queen' of Raj Bhavans in India, according to a pamphlet published by the governor's office.

The Raj Bhavan overlooks the sea on three sides and boasts of a long tract of forests, snakes, peacocks, and at least one visibly nesting pigeon. The path that leads to the sunrise point is a cool, leafy one. An interesting thing to keep an eye out for here is a small set of graves of the pets of former governors. Some date back to the 1930s. One epitaph for "Liddy Love'" says "her tail still wags in our hearts."

The Raj Bhavan's latest discovery is closed for now. The governor and his wife, Vinodha, first toured the bunker, followed by a visit from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Governor Rao has decided to consult experts from various fields on how to preserve it. Besides, he wants an assessment of how safe, strong and ventilated the site is. A committee, including Sabyasachi Mukherjee of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and Rajiv Mishra of the Sir JJ School of Architecture, has been formed to prepare a plan for conservation.