Andhra Pradesh is all set to add a new feather in its cap as the fast emerging pharmaceutical capital of India with the completion of the special economic zone, Jawaharlal Pharma City in Parawada, Visakhapatnam. The development work of the pharma city is progressing fast so as to enable the pharmaceuticals, bulk drug and other chemical manufacturers avail the facilities by the end of 2007. A state government initiative, the Jawaharlal Pharma City is a single-phase project carried out by Ramky Pharma City (India) Ltd.

Speaking to Chronicle Pharmabiz, Rajkumar J of Ramky Pharma City (India) Ltd said the development work of pharma city is progressing fast and has already completed nearly 65 to 70 per cent of the total work. Besides, works are underway for basic infrastructure, including road connectivity, water facilities, electricity and other facilities. If all goes well, we are confident of completing the project by the year-end, he added.

Throwing more light into the development status of the pharma city, Rajkumar said the marine outfall facility of the treated affluent is completed and installation of defectors is being carried out on war footing. The phase one of hazardous waste unit is ready for utilisation for start-ups and common effluent treatment plant (CETP) will be functional by April 2007. Also, the pharma city will feature an animal house for research purpose.

Referring to the cost expenditure, Rajkumar said so far it has spent about Rs 175 crore on the project out of the total estimated cost of Rs. 400 crore. The infrastructure cost at special economic zone will be slightly higher than the non-special economic zone area of the pharma city. Of the total 2212 acre, only 1000 acre will be utilized as plot area, while the rest of the land will be used for common areas, treatment plants and the like, he said.

Though the Ministry of Commerce and Industries has approved the project in principle, the project is yet to receive the special economic zone status. Earlier, on March 17, 2006, the Ministry had approved an addition of around 600 acres for the project.

As earlier reported in Chronicle Pharmabiz, the Bangalore based biotech major Biocon Ltd will invest nearly Rs.1000 crore in the special economic zone to set up its bio-pharma project. According to Rajkumar, along with eight to ten new companies, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Matrix Laboratories Ltd., Granules India Ltd., Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Shasun Drugs and Chemicals Ltd., SNF (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Suven Life Sciences Ltd. are some of the major players who will have their base in pharma city.

Major stakeholder in pharma city is Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. (APIIC), a nodal agency for developing the project, which has allocated the land for the city. The project envisages industrial theme park providing manufacturing facilities for chemical, bulk drug and pharmaceutical industries.