AP's 2nd Pharma City coming up near Vizag?
A pharma cluster is proposed in the land surrendered by NTPC, said an official of the Industries Department
image for illustrative purpose
With North Andhra fast emerging as a prominent pharma hub, the State Government is toying with the idea of establishing a second Pharma City at Pudimadaka, about 50 km from Visakhapatnam-the proposed executive capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The first project named Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) at Parawada near here has become heavily congested with no space left for allotment to Greenfield investors. JNPC, developed by Ramky under PPP mode, is spread over 2,400 acres with a plotted area of 1,400 acres.
JNPC CEO PP Lal Krishna told Bizz Buzz on Thursday that 86 units are under operation with an estimated turnover of Rs 25,000 crore and a workforce of (direct and contract) 32,000. Space has been allotted to 103 companies as 17 are at various stages of implementation.
An official of the Industries Department, when contacted, said a Pharma Cluster is proposed in the land surrendered by NTPC. The power major shelved its ultra modern coal fired power plant at Pudimadaka, close to the sea, post-bifurcation of the State following change in coal policy by the NDA Government and thrust to encourage solar power plants. Thus, 1,200 acres of land allotted to NTPC is now in possession of AP Industrial Development Corporation. Though in-principle approval was accorded to develop a steel cluster at the site to avail benefits under the PLI offered to small and medium manufacturers to reduce the cost of steel production, later it has been proposed to shift it to Nakkapalli area. "This was mainly because of the fact that pollution clearance had been obtained in the past for developing a Pharma Cluster in the area," an official said.
Several major pharma units including Reddy's Lab, Divi's Laboratory, Mylan, Pfizer, Aurobindo, Laurus and others have their units at JNPC, Nakkapalli, Duvvada, Ranasthalam and Pydibhimavaram in North Andhra. Bulk Drug Manufacturers of India and Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) have projected bright prospects for the pharma sector in North Andhra districts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram.
