The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL) on Saturday, 29 August placed a fresh order with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd for the construction of two hybrid diesel-electric ferries and two Bailey Bridges, expanding the Kolkata-based defence shipyard's growing portfolio of green inland waterway vessels and modular infrastructure.

Details of the New Ferry Order

The two newly ordered ferries are earmarked for tourism operations and will each measure 24 metres in length and 8 metres in width, with a passenger capacity of 100 persons and a draft requirement of 1 metre. The vessels are designed to achieve speeds of up to 9 knots in hybrid diesel-electric mode and 7 knots in fully electric mode.

Equipped with advanced propulsion systems combining batteries and diesel generators, the ferries are expected to significantly reduce both operational costs and carbon emissions. They will be classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and are designed to offer passengers lower noise and vibration levels compared to conventional diesel vessels.

Part of a Larger Green Fleet Push

This order builds on an existing contract under which GRSE is already constructing 13 hybrid ferries for the West Bengal government — vessels intended to replace ageing, polluting diesel ferries currently operating on the Hooghly river. The shipyard's green credentials in this space are well established: in 2025, GRSE delivered Dheu, West Bengal's next-generation zero-emission electric ferry, marking a milestone in inland waterway decarbonisation.

Notably, the 'Formal Work Order Handing Over' event was attended by state Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, Minister of State for Tourism Purnima Chakraborty, and Commodore P.R. Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, along with other senior officials.

Bailey Bridges: Leveraging GRSE's Market Leadership

Recognising GRSE's proven expertise in modular bridge construction, the West Bengal government also ordered two sets of standard-width Bailey Bridges of 70R Road Class. GRSE is a market leader in this segment, having supplied over 5,900 bridges to the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, various state governments, central agencies, and friendly foreign nations.

'The fresh orders underscore the confidence reposed in GRSE's engineering excellence and execution capabilities,' an official said. '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.'

GRSE's Broader Defence and Export Record

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, of which 80 went to the Navy. The shipyard has also exported two warships to Mauritius and the Seychelles.

In 2025-26, GRSE delivered eight warships to the Navy, including three delivered together on 30 March 2026 and commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 June. At present, the shipyard is handling 40 platforms, including nine warships, 13 ships for export, and four advanced research vessels for three ministries of the Government of India.