Kolkata, 15 Aug 2020: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) observed the 74th Independence Day at their Main Unit with patriotic zeal. Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, the Chief Guest for the occasion hoisted the National Flag in the presence of Cmde Sanjeev Nayyar, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), Director (Personnel), R K Dash, Director (Finance), Dipankar Mahto, IP&T AFS, Chief Vigilance Officer and other senior officials and employees of GRSE.
Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, addressed the gathering and reiterated the importance of Independence Day for every Indian and spoke about the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. On the current pandemic which has hit the world, CMD GRSE expressed hope on the development of a vaccine and mentioned that it is just a matter of time before we overcome the challenging situation at hand. We however need to continue to take all precautionary measures to stop the spread of the disease. Rear Admiral Saxena applauded all officers, workers and CISF personnel for working together to see the company sail through this difficult time. CMD, GRSE reminded that safety is not only the responsibility of the Safety Department but the responsibility of one and all including permanent and contractual employees. He concluded his speech stating that GRSE has been in the service of the nation protecting the maritime zones and aiding the land forces with its diversified product profile. The Government of India and GRSE’s prime clients including Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard have reposed faith on this premier shipyard which is currently constructing 15 warships simultaneously for Indian Navy. With the modernization in place, GRSE is confident on completing these projects on time.
GRSE with its continued stellar and consistent performance in the past years has contributed significantly to the maritime security and development of our country. The skilled and dedicated workforce of GRSE have put in their whole hearted efforts towards achieving increased productivity and high quality of work, thereby enabling GRSE to become the first shipyard in the country to deliver 105 warships to Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Mauritius Coast Guard since its inception in 1960.
The Company has also embraced the Atmanirbhar Mission, an initiative taken by the Govt of India to make the country self reliant on the products that were imported earlier for its shipbuilding portfolio. The modernisation of infrastructure with integrated modular construction technology was the first step towards Atmanirbhar Bharta. Moving forward with the Atmanirbhar Mission, GRSE has recently added to it’s capacity, a State-of-the-Art Modern Hull Block Complex and Indigenous Underwater CNC Plasma Cutting Facility which were virtually inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the RBD Unit of GRSE to augment the existing infrastructure at the Main Unit of the shipyard, thus a step towards concurrent construction of 24 ships from the existing capacity of 20ships. These facilities will enable GRSE in executing its ongoing prestigious warship projects including Stealth Frigates of Project P17A, Survey Vessels (Large) and ASWSWCs for the Indian Navy which comprises a total of 15 warships.Another fact that needs mention is that GRSE is the only Defence Shipyard to have diversified into Engineering Business with a product profile of Pre-Fabricated Steel Bridges, Marine Diesel Engines and Deck Machinery Items.
Bailey Bridge Unit of the shipyard is engaged in designing, developing and installing bailey bridges to far flung areas& terrains in India and abroad having delivered over 5300 Bailey Bridges to Indian Army, BRO, Central and State PWDs and to friendly foreign countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.As a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Week celebration, GRSE also launched a “First of its Kind” Portable Pedestrian (Assault) Bridge which was virtually inaugurated by Defence minister Rajnath Singh at 61 Park Unit, GRSE. The salient features and advantages of this assault bridge is that it has a weight of 336 kg only. The bridge is Man – Portable and reusable using Crew of 10-12. This Assault Bridge will be an ideal solution for Forward Areas and Disaster Relief Management.
GRSE continues to sail on a growth trajectory moving towards Industry 4.0 with incorporation of latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Analytics in its areas of operation to improve internal efficiencies & profit margins.
