Within days after he discovered a 150-metre long underground British era Bunker inside Raj Bhavan, Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday announced the setting up of am experts’ committee to prepare comprehensive plan to conserve the historical structure.
“The Committee will get the structural audit of the discovered bunker done and will also prepare a comprehensive plan. Based on this plan, the conservation work will be carried out,” a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.
The decision to constitute an experts’ committee was taken at a meeting that the Governor had convened to discuss various aspects regarding the conservation and security issues relating to the British era bunker discovered on the Raj Bhavan premises.
To be headed by State PWD’s chief Engineer Kide, the experts’ committee will comprise Director of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalya Sabhyasachi Mukherjee, Rajiv Mishra of Sir JJ School of Architecture and Dr N Nambhirajan of Archaeological Survey of India as Conservator experts.
“The committee will avail the expertise of Indian Institute of Technology and Central Water and Power Research Station wherever necessary,” a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.
Among others who attended the meeting convened by the Governor were: Mumbai Police Commissioner Dattareya Padsalgilkar, Sabhyasachi Mukherjee, Dr Nambhirajan and Commodore Sunil Bala-krishnan, CSO of the Western Naval Command and the chief Engineer of the State PWD.
The Governor’s decision to appoint an experts’ committee comes within a week after the Public Works Department employees at Raj Bhavan broke open a temporary wall that closed the entrance to the bunker on the Eastern side.
After he and his wife Vinodha visited the bunker on August 16, the Governor had expressed his intention to consult experts from various fields to preserve it. later that he visited the bunker once again along with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
About three months ago, when the Governor was informed by old-timers that there exists a tunnel inside Raj Bhavan, he had directed the PWD officials to get it opened.
When they broke open the temporary wall that had closed the entrance to the bunker on August 12, the PWD officials found to their surprise there was an entire barrack with 13 rooms of different sizes, a far cry from their assumption that it was a mere underground tunnel.
According to the findings made by the PWD officials, 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.
Spread over an area of more than 5,000 square feet, the bunker has rooms bearing the names such as 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,” a statement from Raj Bhavan 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.