The country's indigenous shipbuilding infrastructure and know-how will be consolidated soon, with the Nirdesh project moving swiftly ahead. Tenders have been floated for the masterplan and detailed project report (DPR) for NIRDESH, short for the proposed National Institute for Research in Defence Shipbuilding at Chaliyam near Kozhikode.

According to the Defence Ministry, "The selected consultant will be required to prepare a Master Plan for the entire site and DPR for setting up the first phase of infrastructure. The Master Plan will be prepared in such a manner that Nirdesh grows into an environment-friendly, green campus, without disturbing the livelihood of the nearby villagers. Role specific parks will be set up at Chaliyam, for efficient functioning of Nirdesh. Infrastructure in these parks are planned to be set up in three phases. The first phase will be completed in about three years, subject to statutory clearances. Even as the infrastructure plans for NIRDESH are progressing at a fast clip, the institute conducted its first course for Shipyard Engineers in March this year at its premises. The Executive Committee of NIRDESH has also approved a research and development (R&D) project of developing an underwater robot in collaboration with IIT, Mumbai."