Hyderabad: Hyderabad, where one third of India’s bulk drugs is produced, is set to see a fillip in the sector as the state and Central governments are formulating policies that will aid the sector.

While the state government is coming up with a global ultra-modern technology at the ORR for Pharma City, the Centre, under its ‘Make in India’ policies, is giving sops like tax-breaks, weighted tax deduction at 150 per cent for R&D expenditure incurred etc.The Telangana government has listed pharma and IT as the top two priority sectors in its recently announced industrial policy.

As Hyderabad already has a huge manufacturing base in bulk drugs and formulations, the government plans to further build on this front. The proposed ‘Hyderabad Pharma City’ will come up on 11,000 acre at Mucherla in the neighbouring Ranga Reddy district.

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“The survey for the Pharma City is nearing completion. It has been taken up by TSIIC and expert agencies. The project, which is in coordination with pharma industries, is being chalked out as a zero liquid discharge facility while adequate safeguards will be taken to make it environmentally safe and pollution-free. It will be a self contained facility with residential townships for people working there, in addition to a pharmaceutical university and a research centre among other things,” said a higher official with the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC).

He added, “A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared and submitted to the government.”

“One of the key reasons Hyderabad could be on the forefront in pharma drug production nationally as well as internationally is the co-existing environment for the pharma and bulk drug industries. But pollution is a major issue raised time and again. To deal with it, essential infrastructure is the key. The government seems to have understood it now and is supportive with the proposed infrastructure,” said Mr R.K. Agarwal of Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA).

Mr Pradeep Chandra, special chief secretary, industries department, said that they were coordinating with the brass of the pharma companies to identify the basic requirements for master planning and other aspects relating to the project.

“The local companies alone have committed to invest about Rs 30,000 crore in this project. The project will give at least 70,000 people employment either directly or indirectly,” added an official. Regarding funding, the official added, “The government is considering various options like floating a special purpose vehicle with public-private participation or a complete government funding before arriving at a suitable investment model.”