Una (HP), Apr 11 (PTI) Work began on Saturday for a Rs 250-crore project to develop a bulk drug park in Himachal Pradesh's Una district, which would position the state as a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub and generate large-scale job opportunities for the youth.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for the park and termed it as a project of national importance.
The park coming up at Polian in the Haroli assembly segment would enhance Himachal Pradesh's position as a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub and generate large-scale employment opportunities for the local youth, he said.
The chief minister said that agreements would be signed with leading pharmaceutical industrial houses of the country in June for the bulk drug park.
Only three such parks are being developed across the country, and this flagship project, partially funded by the central government, spread across 1,405 acres, entails a total capital outlay of Rs 2,071 crore, said a statement issued here.
"This project will make India globally competitive in the manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and will reduce dependence on foreign nations for raw materials used in medicines," he said.
The environment ministry has already approved the project in September last year.
The project is being implemented by Himachal Pradesh Bulk Drug Park Infrastructure Limited under the Department of Industries, in full compliance with environmental norms, the statement said.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress of works, the chief minister directed the officials to accelerate the pace so that progress is clearly visible within the next six to eight months and assured full support to ensure the project's timely completion.
Taking a jibe at the previous BJP-ruled government in the state, the chief minister said that during their five-year tenure, they received Rs 60,000 crore more in central funds than the current government has received. Yet, they failed to utilise those funds constructively.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who was also present on the occasion, said that this bulk drug park shall be a transformative step towards the economy of the entire region and strengthen the state's industrial infrastructure.
A proposed five-kilometre railway line, estimated to cost Rs 3,400 crore, will connect this park to the national rail network, thereby providing a significant boost to investment and supply chain logistics.
Works worth Rs 66 crore related to the bulk drug park's drinking water projects have been completed, he said.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan informed that Rs 32.76 crore have been released for power infrastructure works, which are progressing steadily and transmission infrastructure and protection works are nearing completion.
Highlighting the advanced infrastructure planned for the park, Chauhan said that state-of-the-art and sustainable technologies are being deployed, while the project is expected to attract investments worth Rs. 8,000-10,000 crore and generate employment opportunities for up to 20,000 people.
The site development works are being executed by M/s Ceigall India Ltd.
The project includes a 5 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) with Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), a dedicated Centre of Excellence, and a hazardous waste management system with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year, ensuring environmentally responsible and compliant industrial development.
A specialised steam generation system, comprising six multi-fuel boilers, each with a capacity of 50 tonnes per hour, will collectively generate 300 tonnes of steam per hour for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also laid the foundation stone for a working women's hostel at Panjuana. The hostel, to come up at a cost of Rs 10 crore, will provide accommodation for 50 working women.