British era cannons kept at Raj Bhavan

Mumbai: Citizens visiting Raj Bhavan will also be able to see the British era cannons once the Raj Bhavan reopens for visitors in October.

In a five-hour long operation, the two 22-tonne British era cannons at Raj Bhavan were shifted from the governor’s residence lawns and installed on two specially created platforms outside the Jal Vihar (Banquet Hall) on Sunday.

The strategic placement of the cannons will also enable the heads of state, heads of government and other visitors at Raj Bhavan to see the ammunition of the bygone era. The cannons found in a neglected state at the foothills of governor’s residence were lifted and placed temporarily at Raj Bhavan lawns last year on November 3.

Acting on the advice of governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the cannons were restored and given anti oxidizing treatment to prevent from rusting. In the meanwhile two platforms with adequate load bearing capacity were created for mounting the cannons outside the ‘Jal Vihar’.

The cannons, covered in mud, were found partially buried at the foothill bel-ow the Raj Bhavan during a tree plantation drive.

Each of them weighs 22 tonnes, measures 4.7 meters in length and has a diameter of 1.15 meters.

In 2016, a 13-room, 15,000 sq ft British-era underground bunker was found below the lawns of Raj Bhavan. Mr Rao had asked for creation of a museum inside the bunker.