Rajnath Singh launches ₹3,500 crore defence expansion projects in West Bengal
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday virtually laid the foundation stone for five brownfield expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Ltd. from Kolkata. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was present alongside him during the ceremony.
The projects, worth nearly ₹3,500 crore, include three facilities of GRSE and two of Yantra India. These are intended to boost the state's defence manufacturing capabilities and supporting industries.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Singh said the state will take steps to usher in a new renaissance of development. He said the news of closures and lockouts of factories in West Bengal has now been replaced by the launch of new projects.
As part of its capacity expansion, GRSE has signed lease agreements with the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) for two small shipyards on either bank of the Hooghly, along with a 32-acre riverside property at Raichak. A company official said these agreements will enhance GRSE's capabilities in warship construction and refit.
The official further said the projects will strengthen GRSE's capabilities while supporting the revival of West Bengal's industrial ecosystem through employment generation and increased opportunities for ancillary industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
GRSE is a leading defence shipyard and a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. Yantra India Ltd., also a defence PSU, is involved in manufacturing various defence items. Both entities have a significant presence in West Bengal.
The brownfield expansion projects are expected to modernise existing facilities, improve productivity, and create direct and indirect employment in the region. The move aligns with the central government's push for self-reliance in defence production and indigenous manufacturing.
While the foundation stone was laid virtually, the actual construction work will be carried out at the respective sites in West Bengal. The projects are likely to be completed over the next few years, with timelines to be announced by the respective companies.
This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the state government to attract investment in the defence sector. The presence of the Chief Minister at the ceremony underscores the collaborative approach between the central and state governments in promoting industrial growth.
