After initial hiccups, the National Institute for Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (Nirdesh) at Chaliyam in Kozhikode — an autonomous institution set up under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to catalyse indigenisation in warship and submarine construction — seems to have hit the fast-track with the institute approaching the Centre for a one-time grant of Rs.100 crore for the development of infrastructure in a staggered manner.
The Board of Governors of the institute had, in January, approved a master plan for infrastructure building at an estimated cost of Rs.600 crore. A detailed project report (DPR) for the first phase expansion of infrastructure, believed to cost Rs.200 crore, has now been prepared. This is being placed before the executive committee for approval later this month. In the meantime, a case has also been initiated for Cabinet approval of Rs.100 crore as one-time grant from the Defence Ministry, a top official told The Hindu .
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The institute will soon engage the Hyderabad-based Bhagavathy Ana Labs, the lowest bidder, as consultant for implementation of measures to protect environment and adherence to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. Simultaneously, terms of reference for project management consultancy are also being firmed up.
“The institute now boasts a structured training calendar for executives and young engineers. At the instruction of the secretary for defence production, we will also launch training programmes for skilled workers,” said Nirdesh project director Captain (retd) B. Ramesh Babu.
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As for research, he said a technical sub-committee was examining a number of project proposals from institutions such as the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Thrikkakara, a DRDO institution; National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi; and Naval Institute of Technology, Pune.
A committee was also sifting through some 360 applications for empanelment of experts to conduct training, he said.
Vacancy filledThe long-pending vacancy of a deputy director general (DDG) was recently filled with the appointment of Commander (retd) Dinesh Chandra Agarwal, previously with Manipal Institute of Technology.
The institute, in collaboration with Rubber Board, is holding a national seminar on ‘Indigenous warships — avenues and opportunities for Indian rubber industry’ at the Rubber Research Institute of India in Kottayam on Friday.