Bengal: GRSE gets orders for two more hybrid ferries, Bailey Bridges
Kolkata, Aug 29 (IANS) The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL) placed an order with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd for the construction of two more hybrid diesel‑electric ferries and two Bailey bridges on Saturday.
GRSE is already building 13 hybrid ferries for the West Bengal government, which will replace the old, polluting diesel ferries plying on the Hooghly. The two ferries ordered during the day will be used for tourism.
The ‘Formal Work Order Handing Over’ event was attended by state Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, Minister of State for Tourism Purnima Chakraborty, Cmde P.R. Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, and other senior officials.
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 the Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking’s proven expertise in modular bridge construction, the West Bengal government 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.
The shipyard is a pioneer in the field of green platforms. In 2025, it delivered Dheu, West Bengal’s next‑generation zero‑emission electric ferry.
“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,” an official said.
Since its takeover by the Ministry of Defence in 1960, GRSE has built and delivered a record 118 warships to the Navy and Coast Guard. Eighty of these went to the Navy. It also exported two warships to Mauritius and the Seychelles.
In 2025‑26, the shipyard delivered eight warships to the Navy. Three of these were delivered together on March 30, 2026 and commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21.
At present, GRSE is handling 40 platforms that include nine warships. It is also building 13 ships for export. Apart from these, the shipyard is constructing four advanced research vessels for three ministries of the Government of India.
–IANS
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