The Planning Commission has given in-principle approval to the revised plan of the proposed integrated vaccine production facility and a medical equipment manufacturing park at Chengalpattu near Chennai. The project is expected to begin in the next two months time, it is learnt.

As per the revised plan, the total cost of the project to be carried out by HLL Lifecare Ltd now stands Rs. 570 crore instead of the original proposal of Rs. 900 crore to set up the two facilities at a sprawling space of 460 acres.

Importantly, it is also expected that the new vaccine park will not duplicate the products now being produced by the three public sector vaccine manufacturing units. This has been one of the major reservations raised against the HLL Lifecare project when it was mooted.

The project also got criticism from many quarters saying that the HLL was not competent enough to take up the vaccine project as it did not have sufficient experience. However, as HLL was instrumental in making the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, GMP-compliant, the criticism has now been overlooked to give approval, sources said.

As per the deadlines, the HLL is completing the task as the Project Management Consultant for the revival of the CRI Institute and for Design and Engineering. HLL has engaged Copenhagen-based NNE Pharma as consultant for the project. Besides, the HLL is also taking up the revival of Pasteur Institute of India in Coonoor, another PSU which got its licence suspended for the want of WHO standards.

The government is learnt to be confident about HLL carrying out the vaccine project. Besides HLL has also emerged as a full healthcare company and its consultant division has been entrusted with a number of prestigious projects including those under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

As per the revised plan, HLL Lifecare will establish a 100 acre vaccine complex and a 360 acre medi-park at the site where the company has already acquired the physical possession of the land. The projects will be completed in phases.