WII bunker in Vizag shipyard recalls a forgotten wartime chapter

As India readies to mark its 79th Independence Day, a modest structure hidden within the bustling expanse of Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam quietly tells a story often forgotten — of air raids, coastal defence, and a city’s role in global conflict.

Now known as the HSL Bunker Museum, the site once served as a World War II-era bomb shelter built by the British between 1938 and 1941, at the height of escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Originally constructed to protect shipyard personnel from aerial attacks, the shelter bore silent witness to a turning point in the region’s history — the Japanese bombing of Visakhapatnam on April 6, 1942.

That day, the coastal city came under attack thrice, with Japanese aircraft targeting its port and shipbuilding infrastructure. Thanks to a combination of swift countermeasures and the natural defensive layout of the inner harbour, widespread devastation was narrowly averted. Still, the event etched itself into the annals of local history, marking Visakhapatnam’s strategic maritime significance.

Restored and inaugurated in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the bunker has since evolved into a compact yet immersive museum. It serves not only as a historical artefact but as a tribute to the resilience and legacy of one of India’s oldest shipyards.

Inside, the museum offers a gripping walk through time. Artefacts on display include Aldis signalling lamps, searchlight bulbs, engine valve rods, turbine components, and watertight fittings — industrial remnants that reveal the ingenuity and endurance of India’s maritime engineering efforts during wartime.

Archival photographs line the narrow corridors, capturing HSL’s journey from its early days as Scindia Shipyard, a private venture, to its transformation into a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence.

More than a historical showcase, the museum reflects HSL’s ongoing efforts to reconnect with its foundational roots — reminding visitors of the critical role played by Indian industry, not just in times of war, but in the building of a sovereign, self-reliant nation. As the tricolour readies to fly high once more, this underground relic from the 1940s continues to echo stories of vigilance, sacrifice, and a city’s steadfast place in India’s maritime journey.