Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) has achieved a significant milestone by securing a groundbreaking deal with the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) for the fabrication, supply, and launching of Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel and Bailey bridges. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. Krishan Kumar, IAS, Managing Director of NHIDCL, and Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, in the presence of Anshu Manish Khalkho, IDAS, (Director, A&F), NHIDCL and DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd.), Director (Personnel), GRSE, and other senior officers of GRSE & NHIDCL.
This landmark agreement involves the construction and delivery of Class 70R Double-Lane Bridges, designed exclusively by GRSE. These bridges will enhance connectivity in crucial forward areas along India’s borders, facilitating the efficient deployment of troops and equipment. The Double-Lane Steel Bridge developed by GRSE is a pioneering indigenous solution, aligning with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Under a similar MoU with the Border Roads Organization (BRO), GRSE has already supplied 44 bridges across India. The first such bridge was constructed at Flaghill, Dokalam, Sikkim, at an altitude of 11,000 feet under Project Swastik, and was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 28, 2021.
The bridges feature a carriageway width of 7.5 meters, accommodating two-way traffic in compliance with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) specifications. They are constructed from high-tensile steel Grade E-410, ensuring durability and performance in low temperatures. The galvanized surface finish provides ease of maintenance and extended service life. With a Load Class IRC 70R, these bridges support the movement of wheeled and tracked vehicles up to 100/70 MT. The modular design allows for easy transportation of components to remote areas and quick assembly within 30 to 45 days.
In August 2022, GRSE earned the distinction of being the sole Indian organization certified for Green Channel Certification for Portable Steel Bridges (Bailey Type) by the Indian Army. GRSE’s Portable Steel Bridge Division has made notable advancements through rigorous research and development, leading to superior portable bridge designs. To date, over 5,700 portable steel bridges have been supplied to the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, NHIDCL, State Public Works Departments, and the Central Government. These versatile bridges, originally intended for disaster management, have also gained international acclaim, being exported to countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
