Officials stated on Friday that a 132-year-old tunnel-like structure was discovered on the campus of Mumbai's government-run JJ Hospital. The 200-metre-long structure was discovered beneath the Sir Dinshaw Manockjee Petit Hospital for Women and Children. It was later transformed into a nursing school, news agency PTI reported.
According to authorities, the tunnel was discovered during a building inspection in response to a report of water leaks.
Lord Reay, then Governor of Bombay, lay the foundation stone for the British-era historic building on January 27, 1890, according to Dr Arun Rathod, Medical Superintendent of the hospital.
Dr. Pallavi Saple, Dean of the Hospital, stated that the finding had been reported to the Mumbai Collector and the Maharashtra Archaeology Department because the building is a heritage property, PTI reported.
"We are now planning to start a heritage walk through the hospital premises," said Dr Saple, PTI reported.
Dr Rathod, who examined the construction from the interior, told PTI that it stands 4.5 feet tall and is supported by multiple brick pillars. According to him, the entrance is protected by a stone wall.
They entered through what seemed to be a three-foot-by-three-foot sealed ventilation duct. He states that there are several such sealed apertures on the front and back sides of the construction.
The tunnel was discovered beneath a building constructed by architectural executive John Adams and dedicated on March 15, 1892.
According to several former hospital personnel, another British-era building placed behind this one has a similar structure beneath it, although this has yet to be verified, according to Dr Rathod.
He speculated that the two buildings may be linked by a tunnel, although this was merely speculation at this stage.
Rathod stated that the building cost Rs 1,19,351.
Several British-era historic structures can be seen on the JJ Hospital campus.
Grant Medical College's foundation stone was placed on March 30, 1843, and it opened in 1845, accepting the first class of eight students. Later, Sir Jamshetjee Jejeebhoy donated one lakh rupees for the creation of a hospital, and the foundation stone of Sir J J Hospital was laid on January 3, 1843.
(With Inputs From PTI)