Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd laid the keels for 13 hybrid ferries being constructed for the Government of West Bengal’s Transport Department, marking a major advancement in environmentally friendly inland water transportation. The occasion, which took place at Kolkata’s GRSE shipyard, is a significant turning point in the state’s green transportation plan.
The keel-laying ceremony was attended by senior government and GRSE officials, including the Minister-in-Charge, Transport Department, Government of West Bengal Snehasis Chakraborty; Minister-of-State for Transport Dilip Mondal; Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd); WBTIDCL Chairman Dr. Moinul Hassan and other dignitaries. The 13 ferries are being constructed under a contract signed between GRSE and the Transport Department on November 19, 2024. Once commissioned, the ferries will be operated by the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (WBTIDCL) on the River Hooghly, covering routes from Triveni in the north to Diamond Harbour in the south within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.
The vessels are designed with a catamaran hull and will be constructed using aluminium and Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP), offering both durability and reduced weight. Their hybrid propulsion systems—combining battery power with diesel generators—will provide flexibility, improved energy efficiency, and significantly reduced emissions. Operators can switch between modes as needed, ensuring optimal performance and enhanced safety.
