With no space for expansion at the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) developed by Ramky and State Government in PPP mode at Parawada, plans are afoot to set up second Pharma City between Atchutapuram and Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district.
Reliable sources in the government revealed that already 500 acres has been identified for developing a bulk drug manufacturing park near Nakkapalli. The Bulk Drug Manufacturers’ Association have also said to have acquired a large parcel of land near Nakkapalli. An official of APIIC told The Hindu that both could be clubbed to make it a mega cluster for pharmaceutical units.
Hyderabad reaches saturation point
With Hyderabad, which contributes 30 per cent of bulk drug exports also reaching saturation for growth, several bulk drug manufacturers are evincing interest in setting up Greenfield projects in North Andhra.
According to projections of Pharmaceuticals Exports Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), due to its strategic location and airport, highway and sea connectivity, North Andhra is poised to emerge as a major destination for pharma farms.
The projections say North Andhra will account for one-third of exports (in volumes) from India by 2020. The export turnover projected by the industry by 2020 is put at US$16 billion.
“The second Pharma City idea is most welcome. This will certainly contribute to earning a lot of foreign exchange and creation of employment to the locals,” Japanese pharma major Eisai MD Sanjit Singh Lamba said. He also welcomed the decision to set up National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER).
JNPC, located about 50 km from here, was developed in 2005 in an area of 2400 acres (including common area and green belt).
As on today, 88 of 103 units allotted land have started production.
“The remaining units are in various stages of construction. Hence, there is no space at our disposal for expansion,” JNPC CEO Lal Krishna said.
JNPC has a total turnover of Rs.15,000 crore. It has provided direct and indirect employment to 15,000 most of them locals.
