Shipbuilding expansion in West Bengal is set to gain significant momentum with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL) launching five major brownfield expansion projects. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation for the projects on August 23, 2026.
The projects will expand shipbuilding and defence manufacturing capacity while supporting the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The investments are also expected to generate jobs and create new opportunities for MSMEs and ancillary industries.
GRSE Drives Shipbuilding Expansion
GRSE will implement three major projects at Kidderpore, Shalimar and Raichak in West Bengal.
The company has signed lease agreements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, for two small shipyards on the Hooghly River and a 32-acre riverside property at Raichak.
The Raichak shipbuilding facility will receive an investment of more than ₹2,500 crore. The facility will include a 200-metre dry dock, slipway, launching pad, jetties and block fabrication facilities.
The facility will support the construction of warships up to 200 metres long. It will also handle commercial vessels of up to 60,000 DWT.
The Raichak site has a 356-metre waterfront, a 96-metre jetty and an 8–10 metre draught.
Shipbuilding Expansion to Boost Smaller Facilities
GRSE will invest nearly ₹100 crore to rejuvenate the 4-acre Timber Pond facility at Shalimar.
The project includes restoration of a 130-metre dry dock and construction of a 120-metre slipway. The facility will support medium-sized shipbuilding and vessel repairs.
At the Damodar facility in Kidderpore Docks, GRSE will invest around ₹70 crore. The facility will focus on medium-sized vessel construction and repairs. It will also support the construction and repair of electric ferries and other small crafts.
YIL Strengthens Defence Manufacturing
YIL will invest more than ₹750 crore in two advanced facilities at its Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore.
The first project is a ₹277.59-crore, 3,000-ton Heavy Duty Hydraulic Open Die Forging Press. It will replace the existing 2,650-ton press.
The new press will manufacture gun barrels, ammunition components and heavy defence forgings.
The second project is a ₹473.84-crore Radial Forging Plant. It will produce super-alloy forgings, aerial bomb tubes, ordnance hardware, railway axles and nuclear reactor components.
Both facilities will use Industry 4.0 and energy-efficient technologies. The projects will improve manufacturing capabilities and reduce import dependence.
Shipbuilding Expansion to Create Jobs and MSME Opportunities
The combined projects will strengthen West Bengal’s industrial ecosystem.
The new facilities are expected to create employment and increase opportunities for ancillary industries. MSMEs could benefit from higher demand across the shipbuilding, defence and engineering supply chains.
The projects will also strengthen domestic manufacturing and support India’s broader push for self-reliance in strategic sectors.
Rajnath Singh Highlights GRSE’s Growing Role
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the expansion of industrial and defence capabilities in West Bengal.
He highlighted GRSE’s extensive experience in naval and commercial shipbuilding. The shipyard has delivered more than 800 platforms.
Singh also pointed to GRSE’s construction of cargo ships for a German company as an example of India’s growing global shipbuilding capabilities.
He said GRSE’s work reflects the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
The Defence Minister also expressed confidence that YIL’s new facilities would further strengthen India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
West Bengal Targets Greater Industrial Growth
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assured the Centre and GRSE of the state government’s support for the projects.
The Chief Minister said the state would continue working to strengthen its industrial base. He also linked West Bengal’s growth with India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The five projects are expected to strengthen West Bengal’s position in India’s shipbuilding, defence manufacturing and maritime industrial ecosystem.
