Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has further strengthened its partnership with the Government of West Bengal with the receipt of work orders from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (WBTDCL).
The orders cover the construction of two hybrid diesel-electric ferries and two Bailey Bridges, supporting the state’s focus on sustainable transportation and improved connectivity.
GRSE Receives Work Orders from West Bengal Government
The formal work order handing-over event was attended by Dr Shankar Ghosh, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal; Smt Purnima Chakraborty, Hon’ble Minister of State, Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal; and Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, along with senior officials from GRSE and WBTDCL.
The latest contracts further strengthen GRSE’s partnership with the West Bengal Government in developing indigenous solutions for transportation and infrastructure.
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GRSE to Build Two Hybrid Diesel-Electric Ferries
Under the new orders, GRSE will construct two hybrid diesel-electric ferries designed for efficient and eco-friendly inland water transportation.
Each ferry will have:
- Length: 24 metres
- Width: 8 metres
- Passenger capacity: 100 persons
- Draft: 1 metre
- Maximum speed in hybrid diesel-electric mode: 9 knots
- Maximum speed in fully electric mode: 7 knots
The vessels will be equipped with advanced propulsion systems comprising batteries and diesel generators.
Ferries to Support Green and Efficient Inland Water Transport
The hybrid propulsion technology is expected to help reduce operational costs and carbon emissions while ensuring reliable performance on Indian inland waterways.
The ferries will be classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and are expected to provide improved passenger comfort through lower noise and vibration levels.
The vessels are being designed to support the growing demand for cleaner and more efficient inland water transportation while contributing to West Bengal’s green mobility initiatives.
GRSE Gets Orders for Two Bailey Bridges
Along with the ferry contracts, the Government of West Bengal has also placed orders for two sets of Standard Width Bailey Bridges of 70R Road Class.
The orders recognise GRSE’s established expertise in modular bridge construction.
GRSE has supplied more than 5,900 bridges to various organisations, including:
- Indian Army
- Border Roads Organisation
- State governments
- Central agencies
- Friendly foreign countries
The company is a major player in the design and manufacture of modular steel bridges, supporting connectivity requirements across different regions.
GRSE Strengthens West Bengal’s Green Mobility Initiatives
GRSE has already contributed to West Bengal’s green mobility efforts by delivering Dheu, the state’s next-generation zero-emission electric ferry, in 2025.
With the latest contracts, GRSE is currently building 13 hybrid diesel-electric ferries for the Government of West Bengal.
The latest orders further underline the state government’s confidence in GRSE’s engineering capabilities and project execution expertise.
New Orders Support Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The contracts highlight GRSE’s commitment to advancing the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The projects are expected to contribute to:
- Sustainable transportation
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Improved inland connectivity
- Connectivity in remote regions
- Inclusive economic development
The latest work orders demonstrate GRSE’s expanding role beyond defence shipbuilding, with its engineering capabilities also supporting sustainable mobility and infrastructure development.
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Headquartered in Kolkata, GRSE is one of India’s leading defence shipbuilders and also has expertise in modular steel bridges, ferries and other specialised engineering solutions.
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