Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, 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), for the construction of two hybrid diesel-electric ferries and construction of two Bailey Bridges.
The ‘Formal Work Order Handing Over’ event was attended by Dr Shankar Ghosh, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, Purnima Chakraborty, Minister of State, Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, along with senior officials from GRSE and the WBTDCL.
The ferries will each be 24 metres long and 8 metres wide, with a passenger capacity of 100 persons and a draft requirement of 1 metre. Designed for efficient and eco-friendly inland water transportation, the vessels will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 9 knots in hybrid diesel-electric mode and 7 knots in fully electric mode.
Equipped with advanced propulsion systems comprising batteries and diesel generators, the ferries will significantly reduce operational costs and carbon emissions while ensuring reliable performance in Indian inland waterways. The vessels will be classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and are expected to offer enhanced passenger comfort through lower noise and vibration levels.
Recognising GRSE’s proven expertise in modular bridge construction, the Government of West Bengal has also placed orders for two sets of Standard Width Bailey Bridges of 70R Road Class. GRSE is a market leader in the design and manufacture of modular steel bridges, having supplied over 5,900 bridges to the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, various state governments, central agencies and friendly foreign countries.
Having delivered Dheu, West Bengal’s next-generation zero-emission electric ferry, in 2025, GRSE has emerged as a key partner in the state’s green mobility initiatives. With these latest contracts, the shipyard is currently building 13 hybrid diesel-electric ferries for the Government of West Bengal.
The fresh orders underscore the confidence reposed in GRSE’s engineering excellence and execution capabilities. They also reinforce the company’s commitment to advancing the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous solutions that promote sustainable transportation, strengthen connectivity in remote regions, and contribute to inclusive economic development across the country.
