Close to finalising the blueprint for setting up a pharma zone in collaboration with Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Maharashtra Airport Development Co Ltd (MADC) has recently executed MoUs with major pharma companies like Centaur, SG Pharma, Arco Lifesciences, BDH Pharma among others for setting up bulk drug and formulation units in Multi-modal International Passenger and Cargo Hub Airport (MIHAN), Nagpur.

Lupin Pharma has already started its production from MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ) along with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on 150 acres of land. Patanjali Ayurved has been allotted over 300 acres of land for its mega food and herbal park. Besides this, Indo-UK Institute of Health has procured 153 acres of land in SEZ for setting up a health city to promote medical tourism in India.

The pharmaceutical industries have also been appealed to choose Nagpur for their domestic and export oriented manufacturing projects.

MADC is the nodal agency of the Government of Maharashtra for developing MIHAN and a multi-product SEZ adjoining the airport. MADC is also the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for MIHAN notified area under the provision of Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act, 1969.

MIHAN SEZ, which has already become operational, is spread over an area of more than 1, 382 hectares and boasts of infrastructure like 6, 4 and 3 lane roads, telecom system using optic fiber cable, water supply which is both potable and for other uses, storm water drainage and sewage among other amenities. A power plant of 246 megawatt (MW) is also ready to supply power to units in MIHAN.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari along with a state level delegation led by Maharashtra FDA minister Girish Bapat and Minister of State (FDA) Madan Yerawar recently concluded a meet with pharmaceutical manufacturers towards developing Nagpur as a pharmaceutical hub.

Maharashtra FDA which has been assigned to facilitate manufacturers with modalities related to the bulk drugs park and medical device park in Nagpur had also received letters of intent and MoUs from the concerned manufacturers.

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Dr Pallavi Darade had in the past few months also held meetings with pharmaceutical companies at Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad and Thane to explore investment opportunities in MIHAN to pave way for development of pharma hub in the state.  

The state regulator had also earlier spoken to the MIHAN management on discussing the modalities of setting up a bulk drugs park with focus on drug quality in line with global regulatory harmonisation process. Following this, the MIHAN team gave a presentation on the implementation of guidelines, approvals and clearances required for the companies for setting up the units.