Kolkata: In a landmark achievement, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) unveiled India’s first fully indigenous Modular Foot Suspension Bridge (FSB) at its Belur Unit in Kolkata on Saturday. This pioneering bridge, designed for longer spans of up to 400 feet, represents a major stride in enhancing India’s self-reliance in critical infrastructure.
Indigenous Innovation Supporting National Goals
The bridge launch ceremony was led by Mr Natarajan Partheepan, General Manager (Bailey Bridge), GRSE, in the presence of Cmde Ramesh Menon, Chief General Manager (Bailey Bridge & DEP), along with senior officials from GRSE.
This launch echoes the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, highlighting GRSE’s commitment to innovation and diversification beyond its traditional shipbuilding expertise.
Modular Design and Robust Specifications
The newly developed FSB features a steel decking carriageway with a width between 1.8 and 2.2 meters. It adheres to the Indian Road Congress (IRC) Load Class 18R standards and supports a live load of 400 kilograms per square meter, ensuring durability and reliability. The bridge’s modular construction makes it uniquely adaptable and the only one of its kind currently available in India.
Rapid Deployment for Strategic and Emergency Use
One of the most remarkable features of the Modular FSB is its rapid deployment capability. The 400-foot bridge can be installed without requiring piers in less than 30 days, making it highly suitable for quick restoration of connectivity in border areas, facilitating operational readiness of security forces, and providing critical infrastructure during natural disasters.
GRSE’s Expansion into Prefabricated Steel Bridges
Although primarily known for its shipbuilding and repair capabilities, GRSE has distinguished itself as the only defence public sector shipyard to diversify successfully into the engineering domain of prefabricated steel bridges. The Bailey Bridge Unit at GRSE has an impressive track record, having designed and installed over 5,900 Bailey Bridges across challenging terrains in India and neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. These bridges serve important clients like the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), NHIDCL, and various state and central Public Works Departments.
GRSE’s New Modular Foot Suspension Bridge Boosts National Infrastructure, Aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat
— GRSE – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (@OfficialGRSE) June 3, 2025
Kolkata (03 June, 2025): In a landmark achievement, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) launched a first-of-its-kind Modular Foot Suspension Bridge (FSB)… pic.twitter.com/zy5VTOEm8v
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited is a premier defence shipyard based in Kolkata, known for building advanced warships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. With over 100 vessels delivered, GRSE plays a vital role in India’s maritime defence and export capabilities.
