The cluster development programme planned by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to create common facilities at the pharma clusters is still stuck up even as more States reportedly have evinced interest in setting up clusters.

A few months back, the DoP had invited expression of interest from consulting organizations for preparing techno-economic feasibility report on establishing Central Pharma Facilities Development Centre (CPFDC) at the proposed clusters. The department was expected to give final shape to the proposal latest by the end of 2010, but it is yet to even announce the selection of consulting firm for the study.

Meanwhile, more states have come forward to set up clusters for pharma. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have agreed to the proposal in the discussions with the Pharma Department, it is learnt. Haryana had already identified sufficient land at Rohtak for the purpose while Himachal Pradesh also is willing to set apart land for the clusters.

Before finalizing the proposal, however, the department wanted to have the detailed project report and the States have also asked for the same. More states are likely to join the project, once the DPR would be ready, it is learnt.

However, the DoP is yet to announce the consultant for preparing the DPR even months after the notification inviting the EOIs from the experienced consulting firms.  The department wants to help the cluster-based projects by providing state-of-the-art common facilities in collaboration with the respective State governments. The project is expected to help the SME sector to enhance quality, productivity and innovative capabilities, as the financial constraints restrict them to be competitive by laying down the required infrastructure.

There are already clusters existing in Baddi (HP), Hardwar  (Uttarakhand)  and Gurgaon (Haryana) in the north, Pattancheru, Pashmalyram and Khazipalli (A.P), Alandur and Ambattur (both in TN) in the South, Thane,  Nashik, Aurangabad (all in Maharashtra), Vadodra 2 and Ahmedabad in Gujarat in the West and  Goa/Sikkim in other special areas.