A 150-metre British-era Bunker, which had been closed for several decades, has been discovered inside Raj Bhavan.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the bunker late on Tuesday evening.
About three months ago, Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao was informed by old-timers about a tunnel inside Raj Bhavan, after which he had ordered that it be opened.
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On August 12, staff of the Public Works Department broke open a temporary wall that had blocked the entrance to the bunker on the eastern side.
The bunker opens with a 20-foot-tall gate and a ramp on the western side. There are long passages and small to medium rooms on either side. The bunker spreads over an area of more than 5,000 square feet with rooms bearing names like shell store, gun shell, cartridge store, shell lift, pump and workshop. There are also scores of lamp recesses in the gangway.
Even though the bunker was apparently closed after independence, it was found to be intact. The bunker has a drainage system and inlets for fresh air and light.
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According to the history of Raj Bhavan, Government House at Parel once served as the Governor’s residence before 1885.
In 1885, Lord Reay turned the Malabar Hill residence, which served as the summer residence of the British Governors, into a permanent residence.
Mr. Rao, accompanied by his wife Vinodha, also visited the bunker on Thursday, and expressed his intention to consult experts to preserve the structure.