Wtf up with Diglett's Cave?

[SACooper95]

Ever since I've played Pokemon, everywhere I went made perfect since... Except for Diglett's Cave.

It's a very small cave that goes up, left, and up... that's smaller than the underground path that only takes you pass one city. However it takes you from Vermilion City all the way to Route 2. THAT'S MORE THAN HALFWAY ACROSS THE ENTIRE FREAKIN REGION!!!
It just doesn't make any sense! Unless I'm missing something.

 

[hannes3120]

I think it would be cruel if diglett's cave would have like 3 times the length - remember that you can't escape a battle with a diglett (not in 1st.-gen)

 

[DevoidLight]

What I want to know is why an electric type gym leader would want to build his gym right next to it.

 

[Liamash3]

DevoidLight
Maybe for training? Electric's are weak to ground, so it'd be effective training if you battled them, so you could counter type advantages