Bengal gets mega defence boost: Rajnath Singh launches 5 major GRSE, YIL projects

The ceremony was attended by Manoj Agarwal, Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal; Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India; Dr JP Dash, DG Ordnance (C&S); Cmde PR Hari, Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE; Vijaykumar Iyer, Chairman and Managing Director, YIL; and senior officials of GRSE and YIL.

The three GRSE projects mark a significant step towards expanding the shipyard's manufacturing capacity and infrastructure, enabling it to meet the growing requirements of the maritime forces and other defence and maritime stakeholders while advancing the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

The Bhumi Pujan ceremonies were conducted simultaneously at Kidderpore, Shalimar, Raichak and Ishapore across West Bengal.

As part of its capacity expansion programme, GRSE has signed lease agreements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) for two small shipyards on either bank of the Hooghly, along with a 32-acre riverside property at Raichak. The facilities will strengthen GRSE's capabilities in warship construction and refit, as well as the construction and repair of small and medium-sized commercial vessels.

The Raichak facility, with a 356-metre waterfront, a 96-metre jetty and an 8–10 metre draught, will be developed as a major shipbuilding hub with an investment of over ₹2,500 crore. It will feature a 200-metre dry dock, slipway, launching pad, jetties and block fabrication facilities, enabling the construction of warships up to 200 metres long and commercial vessels of up to 60,000 DWT.

The 4-acre Timber Pond facility at Shalimar will be rejuvenated with an investment of nearly ₹100 crore for medium-sized shipbuilding and repair activities. The project includes restoration of the existing 130-metre dry dock and construction of a 120-metre slipway.

Meanwhile, the Damodar facility at Kidderpore Docks, comprising an old workshop and a 25-metre waterfront, will receive around ₹70 crore for medium-sized vessel repairs and construction of electric ferries and other small craft.

At YIL's Metal and Steel Factory (MSF) in Ishapore, two facilities involving a combined investment of more than ₹750 crore will strengthen India's indigenous metallurgical and defence manufacturing capabilities.

The ₹277.59-crore, 3,000-ton Heavy Duty Hydraulic Open Die Forging Press will replace the ageing 2,650-ton press and produce gun barrels, ammunition components and heavy defence forgings.

The ₹473.84-crore Radial Forging Plant will manufacture super-alloy forgings, aerial bomb tubes, ordnance hardware, railway axles and nuclear reactor components.

Equipped with Industry 4.0 and energy-efficient technologies, the facilities are expected to enhance high-end manufacturing capabilities, reduce import dependence and support the defence, railway and strategic sectors.

Together, the projects are expected to strengthen the capabilities of GRSE and YIL while contributing to the revival of West Bengal's industrial ecosystem through employment generation and increased opportunities for ancillary industries, particularly MSMEs.

Rajnath Singh expressed his happiness over the expansion of the industrial sector in West Bengal and said the foundation of this confidence lies in the country's national security and the protection of its borders.

Singh also expressed confidence that YIL's new facilities would further strengthen India's defence manufacturing capabilities.