Kolkata. 08 May 2023 . Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), one of the leading Public Sector Undertaking and Mini-Ratna Category 1 Shipyard, achieved yet another momentous milestone by securing a groundbreaking deal with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the fabrication, supply, erection and launching of additional 30 nos. Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel bridges in border areas.
The two-year contract worth Rs. 80 Crore (approx.) was inked by Dy. Director General (Tech. Admin.), BRO, Brigadier Alok V Mishra and DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd.), Chief General Manager (BB & DEP), GRSE in Pune, witnessed by the august presence of MoS(Defence) Ajay Bhatt, Director General Border Roads Organisation, Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary and Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE during the 64th Raising Day celebration of BRO on 07 May 23.
This landmark agreement entails the construction and delivery of 30 cutting-edge Class 70R Double-Laned Bridges, designed exclusively by GRSE, to enhance connectivity in critical forward areas along India’s borders, facilitating seamless troop and equipment deployment.
Unparalleled in its innovation, the double-lane Steel Bridge developed by GRSE stands as the sole indigenous solution of its kind, in line with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. So far, 12 Bridges have been supplied by GRSE under the first MoU signed on 15 Mar 2022, out of which 04 Bridges have already been launched and launching works on 02-03 bridges are in progress. The first bridge of this kind, was constructed at Flaghill, Dokalam, Sikkim at an altitude of 11,000 feet under Project Swastik of the BRO, inaugurated by Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on 28 December 2021.
The bridges have a carriageway width of 7.5 meters, permitting plying of two-way traffic in compliance with specifications laid down by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). High tensile steel of Grade E-410 ensures high strength, long life and low temperature applications. The galvanized surface finish ensures easier maintenance and longer service life. Load Class IRC 70R permits movement of both Wheeled/ Tracked Vehicles of up to 100 / 70 MT. The modular concept ensures easier transportation of bridge components to remote areas and faster erection of bridges in a short span of 30 to 45 days.
In August 2022, GRSE attained an exclusive distinction by becoming the sole Indian organization qualified for the esteemed Green Channel Certification for Portable Steel Bridges (Bailey Type) from the Indian Army.
Remarkably, GRSE’s Portable Steel Bridge Division has pushed the boundaries of innovation through intensive research and development efforts, resulting in the creation of superior versions of portable bridge designs. Over 5,500 portable steel bridges have already been supplied by GRSE to esteemed entities such as the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, State Public Works Departments, and the Central Government. These versatile bridges, originally intended for disaster management, have also garnered international recognition, being exported to friendly nations including Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
