British era tunnel discovered in city, to be made archaeological site

Delhi Legislative Assembly is going to add an archeological site to the list of the national Capital on March 23, observed as ‘Shaheedi Diwas’.  The Assembly administration is working towards opening a British era tunnel used to ferry freedom fighters from Red Fort to court during the colonial rule.

“The work of renovation is in progress and it will be opened for media and selected personalities on Shaheedi Diwas. We will ensure public viewing on Independence Day and Republic Day besides special visits for students on prior permission,” said Ram Niwas Goel, Speaker Delhi Assembly. 

The tunnel is cemented and wide enough to tour inside. He further added daily public viewing will not be practical as it opens in the Assembly hall where Assembly meetings are held.  He further informed that there are historical evidences of the tunnel besides a court and an execution chamber in the adjacent Old Secretariat Building. The statues of Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev are being installed in the premises of Delhi Assembly to be dedicated for public viewing on March 23, the day they were sent to gallows by British rulers in 1931. 

The tunnel is said to be 7 km long from the Delhi Assembly to Red Fort but only the opening is visible. “It’ not practical to renovate the entire tunnel due to construction of several pillars of flyovers, sewage and water lines but we are developing it as an archeological site to make the people and future generations aware about the sacrifices the freedom fighters made for us, “said Goel. 

He further informed that he recently knew about the tunnel though ex-MLA Kiran Chaudhary and asked the staff to discover it. 

The premises of the Delhi Assembly was used as the Indian Parliament in the British era till 1926 and then as British Court from 1926 to 1947.