Kolkata, August 23, 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stones for five expansion projects being undertaken by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL), giving a major push to defence manufacturing and shipbuilding infrastructure in West Bengal.
The projects, spread across Kidderpore, Shalimar, Raichak and Ishapore, involve a combined investment of nearly ₹3,500 crore. The initiatives are expected to increase domestic manufacturing capacity, support the government's self-reliance drive and create greater opportunities for industries associated with the defence and maritime sectors.
The foundation laying programme was held at GRSE Bhavan in Kolkata. West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, IAS, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Director General Ordnance (C&S) JP Dash, GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde P.R. Hari, IN (Retd.), and YIL Chairman and Managing Director Vijaykumar Iyer were among those present.
GRSE to expand shipbuilding and repair facilities
As part of its expansion strategy, GRSE has entered into lease arrangements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), covering multiple locations along the Hooghly river.
The most significant development is planned at Raichak, where GRSE will establish a 32-acre riverside facility with an investment of more than ₹2,500 crore. The proposed site will have a 356-metre waterfront and a 96-metre jetty, along with a water depth of around 8 to 10 metres.
The facility is planned to include a 200-metre dry dock, slipway, launching infrastructure and block fabrication facilities. It will be capable of supporting the construction of warships measuring up to 200 metres and commercial vessels with a capacity of up to 60,000 DWT.
GRSE is also undertaking the redevelopment of its Timber Pond facility at Shalimar. Around ₹100 crore has been earmarked for the four-acre site, which will be upgraded for medium-sized vessel construction and repair work. The project includes restoration of a 130-metre dry dock and development of a 120-metre slipway.
Another project at the Damodar facility in Kidderpore Docks involves an investment of about ₹70 crore. The facility will focus on repairs of medium-sized vessels as well as the construction of electric ferries and smaller watercraft.
Yantra India to strengthen heavy forging capabilities
Two major projects at Yantra India's Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore are aimed at increasing the country's domestic production of specialised defence and industrial components.
A new 3,000-ton Heavy Duty Hydraulic Open Die Forging Press, estimated to cost ₹277.59 crore, will replace the existing 2,650-ton forging press. The upgraded facility will support the production of gun barrels, ammunition-related components and other heavy forgings.
A separate Radial Forging Plant, involving an investment of ₹473.84 crore, will manufacture super-alloy forgings, aerial bomb tubes, ordnance components, railway axles and components required for nuclear reactors.
Both projects will incorporate modern Industry 4.0 technologies and energy saving systems. The facilities are expected to reduce India's dependence on imported specialised components while also creating business opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in West Bengal.
The five projects are expected to strengthen West Bengal's position in India's defence manufacturing ecosystem and provide additional capacity for shipbuilding, vessel repair, heavy engineering and strategic manufacturing.
