The basement of the Romanian Television Headquarters is closely linked to rumors regarding the existence of a network of tunnels that, according to a well-developed plan, connected the bunkers of several strategic points across Bucharest. This plan was known as Plan Z, previously mentioned in other articles as operation “Rovine-IS-70” or “Plan Z,” designed for the evacuation of the Ceaușescu couple in case of extreme emergencies.
The development of “Plan Z” was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu following the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Soviet troops and other Warsaw Pact states in August 1968. At that time, the General Secretary of the Communist Party instructed the heads of the Securitate to create a strategy ensuring his safe escape in the event of a Soviet invasion. However, starting in 1976, “Plan Z” underwent modifications to account for the possibility of internal forces attempting to overthrow Ceaușescu.
The subterranean corridors supposedly linked the TVR headquarters to other critical structures, including government buildings, military bases, and command centers. Some reports suggest that these tunnels were equipped with ventilation systems, reinforced walls, and emergency exits leading outside the city. The purpose of these passages extended beyond mere escape routes, potentially serving as conduits for discreet military operations or classified communications.
Despite various testimonies and speculative accounts, the exact locations and scope of the tunnel system remain largely unverified. Occasional discoveries of underground passageways in Bucharest fuel these theories, but no official confirmation of a comprehensive Plan Z infrastructure has surfaced.
Adding to the enigmatic atmosphere surrounding the TVR basement, it is also the location where a TVR employee was found hanged in November 2010. The circumstances of this tragic event remain a dark footnote in the building’s already mysterious history.
(Source: mediafax)
Text: Alex Iacob
Photos: Alex Iacob & Robert Casmirovici