The Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) in Visakhapatnam, a joint venture between the Hyderabad-based Ramky Group and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), is expected to see a total investment of Rs.25000 crore by 2017.


The investment so far made in the venture is Rs.3000 crore, including those by the occupant companies and the remaining investment of Rs.22000 crore is expected to made by 2017. The Pharma City, with a land area of 2143 acres, has the capacity to accommodate 120 units in total. Thirty companies have already started their manufacturing activities and other 25 units, which are under construction, are expected to begin production by next financial year. Another 16 companies are expected to start construction of their units shortly. It has an occupancy ratio of 33 per cent currently. Out of the total land area of 2500 acres, 611 acres are earmarked as special economic zone.


In a telecon with Pharmabiz, Dr P P Lal Krishna, chief executive officer, Ramky Pharma City (India) Ltd said, “At present we have 89 occupant industries, including those in the production stage and those under construction. We have the capacity to accommodate a total of 120 units and we are expecting occupancy ratio of 80 per cent by 2015.”


Commenting on the advantages of JNPC, Dr Lal Krishna said that normally it takes two years for getting environmental clearance for establishing a manufacturing unit and this clearance is not required in the case of the Pharma City and the companies can save two years. It is the only park in the country with integrated environment management facility and has facilities such as those for the treatment of effluent water. He added that common Research and Development (R&D) and office spaces are available for the occupants and they can save 40 per cent of production cost.


The JNPC, in which Ramky Group holds 89 per cent stake and remaining 11 per cent by APIIC, is also looking forward for expansion and is in discussions with the government for land allotment. Actus, Vivin Laboratories, Glochem Industries and SMS Pharma are some of the major occupants of the Pharma City.