As a follow up to the broad understanding with the industry to set up a pharma city at Mucherla in Ranga Reddy district after an aerial survey of the site led by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the Telangana government on Friday discussed the finer details of the city with industry leaders in a bid to kick-start the project.
The meeting discussed fixation of milestones for the launch of the project which received enthusiastic response from the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association, sources said.
The milestones in the creation of infrastructure, power supply, road and rail connectivity and coal supply for boilers were discussed. The allotment of government land to Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation for handing it over to industry and environmental clearances from the Centre also came up for discussion, they added.
The meeting discussed the possibility of visiting Chengdu in China where the pharma industry mushroomed to study best practices. The merits of a Special Purpose Vehicle and local area status for the project were also considered.
Sources also said it was noted there was scope for expansion of the bulk drug industry in Telangana, which contributed 25 per cent to national production in the sector. The coming up of the city will boost production.
The Chief Minister had announced during the aerial survey that his job was over and it was now left to officials to take up the project with the industry. Those present included chairman and managing director of Hetero Drugs B. Parthasarathi Reddy, Reddy’s Labs chairman Satish Reddy and vice-chairman and managing director of Aurobindo Pharma K. Nityananda Reddy. The government was represented by Special Chief Secretary of Industries K. Pradeep Chandra.
