200-year-old tunnel unearthed in Mumbai's GPO

A 200-year-old tunnel was unearthed by workers of the General Post Office (GPO) in its premises near South Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).

"Since decades the flag-hoisting ceremony is conducted at this spot but we never knew about the tunnel," postal services director Abha Singh said. "The lid was believed to be a drainage cover until a few workers lifted it and found ladders running down."

A newspaper reporter learnt about the place and informed the GPO authorities to check it.

After digging deeper into the spot which looked like a cement structure which was covered with a lid, the passageway was found.

According to the GPO workers, the tunnel resembles a 'dark cave-like structure' and has a vast hall, thick walls, pillars, muddy floor and unidentified plants with pretty flowers among other things.

"We will visit the site and study if the place has any heritage value or historical background," Mumbai Heritage Committee chairman Dinesh Afzalpurkar said.