New Delhi, 29 Aug 2024: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), achieved yet another momentous 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 & Bailey bridges. The MoU was signed between Dr. Krishan Kumar, IAS, Managing Director, NHIDCL and Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), CMD, GRSE in the august presence of Shri 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 entails the construction and delivery of Class 70R Double-Lane 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. Under similar MoU signed with Border Roads Organization (BRO), GRSE has already supplied 44 nos. Bridges Pan -India. 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 Defence Minister 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 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH). 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 5,700 portable steel bridges have already been supplied by GRSE to esteemed entities such as 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 garnered international recognition, being exported to friendly nations including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
