BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): The Integrated Test Range (ITR), the premier DRDO laboratory at Chandipur in Odisha's Balasore district, has been awarded the prestigious Silicon Trophy for the year 2016 as the best Technological laboratory of DRDO, an official statement said.

It has also bagged the "Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance" for the year 2017.

The Chandipur ITR is the first laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to get such a recognition back to back for two consecutive years, the statement on Wednesday said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on May 14 presented the trophy and certificates for the awards to Dr B K Das, Outstanding Scientist & Director, ITR in New Delhi.

"This achievement has become possible due the hard work, dedication, round the clock service and relentless efforts by the scientists, technical officers & staff, service officers, officers and staff of admin and allied cadres, members of all associations and unions and service & DSC personnel of all ranks," Das said.

He specially appreciated and thanked the family members of ITR employees for their constant support without which this could not have been possible.

Starting from a barren land in 1982, the Chandipur ITR has reached the top of the pillar and emerged as a World Class Test Range that has not only undertaken Test and Evaluation of Indian defence systems but also earned accolades from Foreign agencies, Das said.