Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has laid the foundation for five brownfield expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL), marking a major push to expand defence manufacturing and shipbuilding capacity in West Bengal. The projects across Kolkata and Ishapore are aimed at increasing domestic production, strengthening maritime infrastructure and supporting the Make in India initiative.
GRSE Expands Shipbuilding Capacity
Navratna defence PSU GRSE has signed lease agreements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, to develop three facilities along the Hooghly river. The biggest project is a 32-acre shipbuilding facility at Raichak, involving an investment of more than ₹2,500 crore.
The Raichak facility will have a 356-metre waterfront, 96-metre jetty and 200-metre dry dock, along with a slipway, launching facility and block fabrication units. It will be capable of building warships up to 200 metres and commercial vessels of up to 60,000 DWT.
Shalimar Facility to Get New Life
GRSE will invest around ₹100 crore to modernise its 4-acre Timber Pond facility at Shalimar. The project will support medium-sized shipbuilding and ship repair activities, with the existing 130-metre dry dock being restored and a 120-metre slipway being developed.
Kidderpore to Support Smaller Vessels
Another investment of around ₹70 crore has been planned at the Damodar facility at Kidderpore Docks. The site will focus on medium-sized vessel repairs as well as the construction of electric ferries and small crafts.
YIL Strengthens Defence Manufacturing
At Yantra India Limited’s Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore, two projects worth more than ₹750 crore will expand indigenous metallurgical manufacturing capabilities.
A ₹277.59-crore Heavy Duty Hydraulic Open Die Forging Press with a capacity of 3,000 tonnes will replace the existing 2,650-tonne unit. It will manufacture gun barrels, ammunition components and other heavy forgings.
New Radial Forging Plant
YIL will also establish a ₹473.84-crore Radial Forging Plant to produce super-alloy forgings, aerial bomb tubes, ordnance components, railway axles and nuclear reactor components.
Both projects will incorporate Industry 4.0 technologies and energy-efficient systems, helping reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Boost for MSMEs and Make in India
The combined expansion is expected to strengthen West Bengal’s defence and maritime manufacturing ecosystem while creating opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises. The projects also underline the government’s broader push to build indigenous capabilities in warship construction, ship repair, defence equipment, metallurgy and strategic manufacturing.
