New Delhi: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL) are set to significantly expand their manufacturing capabilities in West Bengal, with five brownfield projects involving an investment of nearly Rs 3,500 crore.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually laid the foundation stones for three GRSE projects and two YIL facilities on Monday. The projects are aimed at increasing shipbuilding capacity, strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing and creating new opportunities for ancillary industries and employment.
The three GRSE projects will expand infrastructure for warship construction, vessel refit and the construction and repair of small and medium-sized commercial vessels. As part of the expansion, GRSE has signed lease agreements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata for two small shipyards on either bank of the Hooghly, along with a 32-acre riverside property at Raichak.
The new facilities are expected to help GRSE meet the growing requirements of the Maritime Forces and other defence and maritime stakeholders. The company has delivered more than 100 vessels in recent years and is also building a cargo vessel for Germany, reflecting its expanding presence in international shipbuilding.
Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh stressed the need for self-reliance in the construction of warships, offshore vessels and other maritime platforms. He said, “India has the capability to become a global shipbuilding hub, particularly at a time when significant opportunities are emerging in the global shipbuilding sector.”
He also highlighted the importance of quality assurance, timely delivery and high-quality maintenance and refit services, while calling for greater domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce import dependence.
At YIL’s Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore, two new facilities will be developed with a combined investment of more than Rs 750 crore. Equipped with Industry 4.0 and energy-efficient technologies, the facilities will strengthen advanced metallurgical and defence manufacturing capabilities for the defence, railway and strategic sectors.
Rajnath Singh said YIL is expanding beyond traditional defence production and undertaking research and development, including advanced metallurgical activities, which will contribute to reducing import dependence and strengthening strategic manufacturing capabilities.
The expansion projects are also expected to benefit MSMEs and other ancillary industries by creating new industrial opportunities around the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The foundation ceremonies were held at Kidderpore, Shalimar, Raichak and Ishapore, marking a fresh phase of capacity expansion for two major public sector defence manufacturers in West Bengal.
BI Bureau
