Kolkata, 10 November (H.S.) : The Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) proposed new weapon and missile testing center in Junput village of Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, is finally moving from paper to reality. The project of immense strategic importance was greenlit in September 2026, following the formation of the new BJP government in the state led by Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari. The construction of the Junput range is being hailed as a major achievement under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, significantly bolstering India's defense infrastructure.

A senior official from the state secretariat revealed that the new center, being developed on approximately 8.73 acres of land, will serve as a crucial complementary and supplementary facility to the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. Currently, the testing centers at Chandipur and Abdul Kalam Island are under immense pressure with the testing of cutting-edge indigenous defense systems. The commissioning of the Junput range will provide DRDO with additional operational space, enabling the timely development of new missile systems and defense equipment.

Defense expert and former senior RSS functionary, Amanish Iyer, told Hindusthan Samachar that while Chandipur will continue to test long-range and strategic missiles, the Junput center will primarily focus on testing short-range missiles, radar systems, coastal defense technologies, tracking, and telemetry systems.

He explained that Junput was selected due to its geographical and strategic advantages. According to officials, connecting Junput with the Chandipur and Abdul Kalam Island corridor provides an extended maritime testing range of approximately 150 kilometers. This is a significant increase from the existing 74-kilometer range. This expanded distance will offer an ideal gap between safe launch and target for complex tests involving interceptors and surface-to-air missiles, potentially propelling India's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program to new heights.

Emphasizing the project's strategic importance, Amanish Iyer stated that the new testing center at Junput would be a game-changer for India's defense preparedness. The 150-kilometer maritime expanse will allow for a more comprehensive, unobstructed, and secure testing of the accuracy, strike capability, and air defense systems of indigenous missiles.

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Project Was Stalled for Two Years

The project had been stalled since April 2024 due to administrative and political hurdles. On September 11, 2026, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari announced that his government had granted approval for this project of national importance. He described it as a major project for the development of West Bengal and the country. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya also termed it a historic step, stating that the administrative deadlock has been broken. He added that the project would not only enhance the state's defense capabilities but also generate new opportunities in ancillary industries, technical research, and employment.

With the project taking off on the ground, the administration began the process of clearing the coastal area, where fishermen had set up scaffolding for drying fish, at the end of October. However, the process was slightly delayed due to Cyclone 'Arnav'. Local fishermen's associations are not opposing this project linked to national security; instead, they are demanding permanent rehabilitation on humanitarian grounds to safeguard their livelihoods.

The DRDO had also previously issued public assurances that human and environmental safety remains paramount during state-of-the-art flight tests, and that the lives of fishermen and farmers would not be adversely affected.

According to an official, a 'NOTAM' (Notice to Airmen) was issued for the Bay of Bengal in October, indicating rapid progress in this direction. In the coming weeks, DRDO is expected to make formal announcements regarding specific systems associated with the center, its budget, and its first official test. The Junput testing center is poised to become a significant milestone not just for West Bengal, but for defense research and development across India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh