The Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC), a joint venture of Ramky Pharma City (India) Ltd (RPCIL) and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), located at Parawada near Vizakhapatnam asked the state government to allot additional 1000 acres of land for expansion, it is learnt.

According to the Pharma City sources, it has already allotted 1034 acres of land out of the 1429 acres of plotted area and is in discussions with several companies for land allocation. The Pharma City is spread across on an area of 2300 acres, comprising of a special economic zone (SEZ) of 600 and rest a non-SEZ, has already occupied by 70 companies, including domestic firms such as Biocon, Aurobindo, Matrix, Emmennar, Kanoria, Vijayasri, and Glochem Chemicals and Japan-based Eisai Pharma and German firm Pharmazell. The RPCIL has already invested Rs 600 crores for the development of JNPC and would invest Rs 300 crores for the development of additional space.

It is also learnt that the Bulk Drugs Manufacturers Association of India (BDMA) has also urged the state government to allot 1000 acres additional land for the expansion of the Pharma City. The state government is considering the request and it is expected to allot the land at Achuthapuram, 5 km away from the Pharma City. However, they did not divulge any period for the land allocation.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, M Goutham Reddy, director, Ramky Group, said, "Several companies are in the process to expand their operations to Vizag. The Pharma City is a good choice for them, as it offers quality infrastructure and hassle free environment. All the facilities are available in the Pharma City and it would ultimately result in increase in production."

Sources added that seven companies have already started production and 18 companies are in various stages of construction and is expected to finish in another six months. It is learnt that the JNPC is currently in discussions with companies such as Teva, Thermax and Glenmark for land allocation.

As per the JNPC, it offers uninterrupted power supply, 24 hours quality water supply, excellent road connectivity, warehousing and communication facilities, truck terminals, bulk container depots, QA Laboratory, training facilities, library facilities, business facilitation cell and an effluent treatment plant and hazardous waste disposal facility.