₹3,500-Crore Defence Expansion Gives West Bengal’s Industrial Sector a Major Push
West Bengal is set for a significant expansion of its defence and shipbuilding infrastructure, with five projects involving an investment of nearly ₹3,500 crore. The foundation stones were laid virtually on August 23 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari from Kolkata.
The projects comprise three expansions by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and two facilities of Yantra India Limited (YIL). GRSE’s projects at Kidderpore, Shalimar and Raichak will strengthen shipbuilding, repair and refit capabilities. The Raichak facility, backed by an investment of more than ₹2,500 crore, is planned as a major shipbuilding hub capable of handling vessels up to 200 metres long.
At Ishapore, YIL will invest more than ₹750 crore in two advanced metallurgical facilities designed to modernise production and reduce dependence on imports.
Beyond defence, the expansion is expected to create employment and open new opportunities for MSMEs and ancillary industries. The Centre has positioned the projects as part of its broader push for self-reliance, while Singh described India’s growing shipbuilding capacity as an opportunity to compete in global markets.
