Source TOI
KOLKATA — In a major boost to regional industrial growth and national maritime self-reliance, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually laid the foundation stone for five brownfield expansion projects across West Bengal. Valued at approximately ₹3,500 crore, the initiatives span key manufacturing and shipbuilding facilities operated by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs): Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL).
The ceremony marked the commencement of three major expansion sites for GRSE and two precision-manufacturing projects for YIL. Emphasizing the broader economic impact, the Defence Minister noted that this infrastructure drive is poised to revive West Bengal’s industrial ecosystem by generating high-skilled employment and boosting local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Expanding Naval and Shipbuilding Capacity
The three GRSE projects are designed to scale up India’s warship construction, refitting, and repair capabilities:
Raichak Mega Facility (South 24 Parganas): Backed by an investment exceeding ₹2,500 crore on a 32-acre riverside property, this hub will feature a 200-metre dry dock, slipways, jetties, and advanced block fabrication units. The facility will enable the construction of large warships and next-generation destroyers up to 200 metres long.
Timber Pond Unit at Shalimar (Howrah): Undergoing a ₹100 crore rejuvenation to handle medium-sized shipbuilding and repairs, featuring a restored 130-metre dry dock and a 120-metre slipway.
Damodar Complex (Kidderpore Docks, Kolkata): Modernizing existing port workshops and waterfront infrastructure to streamline the broader maritime supply chain.
Modernizing Precision Ordnance & Metallurgy
Complementing the naval shipyards, the two Yantra India Limited projects are situated at the historic Metal and Steel Factory (MSF) in Ishapore. With an investment surpassing ₹750 crore, these facilities are replacing legacy infrastructure with Industry 4.0-ready precision forging systems to manufacture specialized high-grade alloys and components for heavy artillery, naval weaponry, and advanced defence platforms.
Capitalizing on Global Demand
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh highlighted the emerging “Capacity Paradox” in the international maritime sector, where traditional shipbuilding nations face shrinking output amid growing global demand for commercial and military vessels.
He stressed that India is uniquely positioned to fill this void by leveraging its engineering talent, domestic steel production, and expanding shipyard infrastructure. The strategic projects underway in West Bengal represent a critical milestone in reinforcing India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) framework and establishing the nation as a global hub for shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations.
