Gov orders restoration of cannons found in Raj Bhavan

Mumbai: Two identical 22-tonne British era cannons found lying unnoticed in an abandoned condition in Raj Bhavan were lifted using a crane on Saturday. Maharashtra governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao witnessed the cannon lifting operation and ordered the conservation and restoration of the cannons.

Considering the historical significance of the cannons, Mr Rao has asked the Raj Bhavan officials to seek the assistance of Indian Navy to obtain the technical details of the cannons and also to find out the archival records, if any.

“The governor has asked to place the cannons in front of ‘Jal Vihar’ (Banquet Hall) in the Raj Bhavan complex,” a Raj Bhavan official said.

The two identical cannons separated from one another by 25 meters were found unnoticed and covered under mud at the foothills of Raj Bhavan, apparently for many decades.

“Both the cannons were noticed by staff members of Raj Bhavan during a tree plantation activity a few months ago. Each of the cannons weighs 22 tonnes, measures 4.7 meters in length and has a diameter of 1.15 meters,” the official said.

“The two cannons were lifted using a crane over a height of more than 50 meters and placed temporarily on the front lawns of Raj Bhavan,” he added.

In the year 2016, a 13-room and 15,000 sq.ft long British era underground bunker was found below the lawns of Raj Bhavan. The bunker is being restored under the guidance of an expert architect firm. The governor has asked for creation of a museum inside the bunker after which it will be opened for the general public.